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IHK Zeugnis-Check – Certificate Verification System

High Security

IHK Zeugnis-Check – Certificate Verification System

The Challenge

The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) issues thousands of vocational certificates each year. Unfortunately, not every job applicant is honest when presenting their credentials – falsified IHK certificates have become a real problem for employers trying to verify qualifications. The IHK Schwaben, as a public law corporation serving the Augsburg region, needed a solution that could verify certificates instantly while maintaining the highest security standards. As a large organization with multiple locations and a prominent digital presence, the IHK is a frequent target for cyberattacks, making security the absolute top priority.

Our Solution

As part of this project, we developed the backend system in Java with Spring Boot. Our component validates applicant credentials against the official IHK database, cross-references submitted certificate data with stored records, and immediately flags discrepancies. The architecture is designed for maximum security: distributed across multiple servers and providers with defense-in-depth principles, extensive input validation, rate limiting, and comprehensive audit logging. The complex backend infrastructure reflects the security requirements of a public institution that handles sensitive credential data and faces constant attack attempts.

The Result

The Zeugnis-Check system is now live at zeugnischeck.ihk.digital, providing employers with a reliable way to verify IHK vocational certificates. The platform has successfully processed thousands of verification requests, helping protect businesses from candidates with fraudulent qualifications. The robust security architecture has withstood numerous attack attempts, demonstrating that enterprise-grade security and user accessibility can coexist.

Our Stack

Java
Spring Boot
REST API