LTV (Long-Term Validation)
Definition
Frequently asked questions
Why can a signature become unverifiable over time?
Because its verification depends on external elements that are not eternal. Certificates expire after a few years, services that indicate their revocation status may disappear, and cryptographic algorithms weaken. Without precaution, a perfectly valid document on the day of its signature can no longer be checked ten years later.
What does a document signed in LTV mode contain?
It includes everything necessary for its own verification: the complete chain of certificates, revocation information collected at the time of signing, and a timestamp. The verification then no longer needs to query an online service. The document becomes self-contained and remains verifiable even if the original service provider has ceased operations.
What is the difference between PAdES B-T, B-LT and B-LTA profiles?
Each profile adds a layer to the previous one. B-T adds a timestamp to the signature. B-LT adds the certificates and revocation information to it, which enables long-term verification. B-LTA adds an archive timestamp covering everything, which can be renewed before the algorithms used become too weak.
Is LTV sufficient to preserve a document for thirty years?
Not by itself. It freezes the evidence available at the time of signing, but the cryptography used eventually becomes obsolete. For very long durations, the archive timestamp must be renewed periodically, before the previous algorithm is compromised. This is the principle of the B-LTA profile and, more broadly, of electronic archiving services.
Associated guides
Related terms
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