Basic Procedure

Applicability Statement 2 (AS2) is a standard for securely and reliably transporting data over the Internet via HTTP or HTTPS. AS2 specifies how two communication partners connect and how messages are sent, validated, and confirmed. AS2 creates an envelope for a message, which is then securely sent.

Digital signatures can check the integrity and the authorship of a message and the data can be secured by encryption. The sender may request a Message Disposition Notification (MDN) if all went well, but does not have to request such a notification. Additionally, the MDN contains information about successful decryption and signature validation.

A characteristical difference to other transmission standards is that the user does not depend on technical protocols to prove a successful transmission since he has the proof in the form of a message itself (MDN). Another advantage of the standard is that there are no additional costs for the transmission and that it is very fast and reliable. On the other hand, you might (not necessarily) have to invest in a certificate. Note: To view MDNs in the Control Center, the communication must have been carried out via a partner channel.

AS2 can be seen as a replacement for X.400. We can support you with migrating from X.400 to AS2. Please contact our support or sales staff.

Checklist for AS2 Operation

• Running Lobster_data installation.

• Java(TM) Cryptography Extension (JCE) Unlimited Strength Jurisdiction Policy Files.

• A permanent internet connection when data is to be received.

• Licenced AS2 service (additional and chargeable module for Lobster_data). Please contact our support or sales staff.

• AS2 parameters have been exchanged between the communication partners.

• AS2 partner created and configured in the Partner Administration of Lobster_data. If certificates are used, they have to be imported for the respective partner.

• Profile for AS2 processing was created using the configured channels.