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 biometric signature is considered an advanced electronic signature and uses the new generation of Tablets, which collect, in addition to the digitized signature, a set of biometric data based on static and dynamic algorithms, such as speed, general duration, pressure values, number of pen elevations, acceleration, pen movement direction, number of radial loops, etc.
In case of dispute, one can accurately validate the signature, proving the integrity of the document and the authentication of the signatory. Thus, we can determine whether the document has been changed and who signed it. This type of electronic signature is particularly suitable for contracts and agreements with customers and partners.
The biometric signature is thus uniquely linked to the signatory, and it is possible to identify him/her securely. After being collected, it is stored securely and encrypted.
