Electronic Signatures
Signing documents with an electronic signature ensures their authenticity, that they are legally valid, and that they meet all security requirements.
With process dematerialisation, electronic signatures are now a normal part of day-to-day business.
Electronic signatures (sometimes called “digital signatures”) decrease the use of paper and simplify Workflows that involve signing documents, allowing both employees, suppliers or other entities to use them.
Electronic signatures can be used in documents that need to be signed and then processed electronically, and are increasingly important in process dematerialization within organizations, namely in financial institutions, insurance companies, logistics, health, services, and in the industry.
There are currently three types of electronic signature provided for in the eIDAS regulation, and in the EU Directive, which can be used in different situations:
A simple electronic signature has no legal value and can be, for instance, a digitized signature placed as an image at the end of documents. This procedure is normally only suitable for internal processes, such as expense reports.
The advanced form of an electronic signature offers significantly greater evidence value than the simple form.
- It binds and identifies only the signatory;
- It is designed to allow the signatory to retain control;
- It ties the document, so that any subsequent changes to the data are detectable.
The qualified electronic signature is based on digital certificates such as the citizen’s card, the digital mobile key or a certificate issued by third parties, and represents the highest level of quality of an electronic signature, and is the only one that can replace the written form, if required by law.
- Created with a secure signature creation device (smartcards, flash drives, SIM cards), and
- Is based on a certificate specifically qualified for electronic signatures.
Biometric Signature
The Filedoc biometric electronic signature solution aims to dematerialize paper processes that require the signer’s presence at some point.
This method collects biometric information of the person’s signature (speed, inclination, pressure, lift, direction, etc. of the pen movement), which is encoded according to the ISO/IEC 19794-7 standard.
This allows for a future verification process in case of repudiation or fraud, regardless of any technological advancements that may occur. The biometric data is encrypted and embedded in the electronic document to ensure the complete privacy of the individual’s personal data. The electronic document is also signed using a digital certificate to ensure the integrity of all information.
Additionally, a timestamp can be used to guarantee the legal date and time when the document was signed.
Signature Process:
- The client/user goes to any service point.
- The client/user/employee reviews the document to be signed, which can be done directly on the signature collection device, adding their biometric electronic signature to it.
- The request is processed, the document is digitally sealed with a certificate, and a timestamp is added.
- The system archives the signed PDF/A in Filedoc.
- No document will be printed; the client/user/employee can receive the document by email.
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