Everything about certification and TSS.

The KassenSichV officially came into force on 1.1.2020. So far, the picture of the intensity with which cash register manufacturers have dealt with the topic is varied. However, this will change abruptly on 1.10.2020. From this date, every cash register must be equipped with a TSS (basic information on this can be found here).As a cash register manufacturer, the question arises: Which TSS solution do I use? Compliance with the law is often the decisive criterion.

The problem:

No TSS is currently fully certified - only provisionally approved!

So what can cash register manufacturers do? 

TSS customers basically have the option of integrating cloud TSSs or hardware TSSs. There are huge differences in terms of certification, performance spectrum, practicability and costs. We would like to go into this in more detail below.

The current situation

Some hardware TSS providers have a temporary approval for their systems and therefore have to re-certify by the end of 2020 at the latest. However, there are major risks in doing so - for example, by upgrading to a new protection profile. TSSs with a temporary release are de facto only partially tested and thus there is a risk that no final certification will take place. This would create several problems:

• The TSS manufacturer must undergo re-certification at the end of 2020. If the re-certification is not completed positively, a new TSS solution must be found.  In the worst case, customers would have to look for a new provider.
• If the re-certification should reveal gross deficiencies in the TSS, there could be a complete ban on operations despite the current provisional approval. This would mean that all TSSs already in operation would have to be replaced.

What are the consequences?

Possibly, there would have to be a complete replacement of all HW TSSs. Hardware solutions are very costly to purchase and present enormous logistical challenges. So if changes were ever made, all hardware TSSs would potentially have to be completely replaced. This would lead to repeated costs and roll-out challenges. Furthermore, hardware TSSs cannot keep up with the performance spectrum of cloud solutions around the necessary processes.

The certification of a cloud TSS is only a matter of time. There are POS systems where it is technically impossible to install a hardware component (e.g. based on RDP - Remote Desktop Protocol). TSSs as a Cloud solution are also officially confirmed by the BSI (see FAQ BSI). The leading provider of cloud TSSs is fiskaly, due to its technological edge, as well as its unique range of services. "The beauty of a cloud solution is simplicity coupled with infinite possibilities," documents Dr. Patrick Gaubatz, TSS expert at fiskaly.

Our recommendation is quite clear: a cloud TSS with which all (legal) requirements can be responded to quickly and cheaply. As well as, for example, to a repeated postponement of the non-objection rule. If there are ever legal changes or other updates, you can integrate them once centrally with a cloud solution and the issue is taken care of. With a hardware solution, you literally have to take each POS in hand individually.

The Cloud solution from fiskaly goes far beyond the actual signature unit! While hardware is purely the signature unit, the cloud solution from fiskaly offers innovative added value for customers (eBeleg, fiskaly DSFinV-K, dashboard for managing all TSSs, activation at the tax office, SSO, multi-client capability, ...) and is also more cost-effective - contact fiskaly at sales@fiskaly.com.