Do you know how many types of digital signatures exist? What advantages does each one offer? And what level of security do they provide? We invite you to learn about the importance of digital signatures in an increasingly technological age. 

 

The importance of digital signatures grows every day and is based on three powerful reasons, which we explain below:

1. Technology is rapidly taking over our daily lives, both personally and professionally. This is confirmed by the report. Technology Vision 2020, by publishing a survey that reflects that 52% of consumers use technology regularly.
2. The increasing use of new technologies exposes us to a dark world of illicit interests. This has led to a proliferation of criminals who attempt to circumvent security through the anonymity afforded by cyberattacks.
3. A digital signature is a technological solution that provides security and trust for electronic documents. In this sense, the signature gives documents legal value and evidentiary standing.

A digital signature is a secure alternative for sending electronic documents remotely. In other words, a digital signature guarantees the sender's authorship of a document through an advanced cryptographic system that proves its authenticity.

Types of signatures that exist today

Do you remember when the way to prove the authenticity of a document was a handwritten signature? And even better if it was accompanied by an official seal and a waxed envelope!

Fortunately, times have changed, and with the advent of digital technologies, electronic signatures have emerged. Within this category, there are three distinct types that are important to differentiate because, although they are often used interchangeably, they are not the same.

1. The digitized signature:

It is the equivalent of a simple electronic signature; it is the conversion of the signature stroke into a digital image.

The digitized signature is obtained by scanning the paper containing the handwritten signature. Alternatively, it can be obtained using hardware such as signature pads, which allow the image to be saved to the computer and used when needed.

It's a simple electronic signature. Although legal, it offers no guarantee of identity and can be easily forged.

2.- The electronic signature:

It refers to the electronic data that accompanies a piece of information.

It is a legal concept that is equivalent to a handwritten signature and offers legal validity.

It was created to attest to the signatory's intent. It is the equivalent of an advanced electronic signature.

3. The digitized signature:

It consists of applying cryptographic mechanisms to the content of a message or document.

It was designed to streamline administrative procedures via the internet, such as filing income tax returns, requesting employment history, etc.

A digital signature attests to an act of will on the part of the signatory, and therefore has legal character.

In addition, it features the "encryption" of document data to provide greater security.

In conclusion, a digital signature is an advanced and qualified electronic signature.

Tell me what you do, and I'll tell you what signature you need.

• If you want to provide proof of receipt, whether for mail or a package, a digital signature or simple electronic signature will likely suffice.
• If you want to sign a commercial or banking contract, you can do so using an electronic signature or advanced electronic signature. This is because it meets four legal requirements:

1. The signature is uniquely linked to the signatory.
2. The signatory can be identified.
3. It constitutes a hyper-secure mechanism.
4. It guarantees that the signatory is the only one who can sign the document.

• If you want to apply for life insurance, a bank loan, or carry out a procedure with the public administration, you will need to use a digital signature or qualified electronic signature.

A digital signature or qualified electronic signature links the signer's identity to their signature through a qualified personal certificate issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP).

The digital signature ensures the validity of the document both in the country where the signatory is located and in any other State of the European Union, since the signature is recognized as valid and legally binding.

Advantages offered by digital signatures

1. It unequivocally and uniquely identifies the signatory.
2. An authentication process is performed, which allows the receiver to identify the originating entity and the sender.
3. The issuer cannot deny the issuance (non-repudiation).
4. It offers complete integrity. This means that the information contained in the message or document has not been altered or manipulated since it was signed by the sender.

3 Steps to Obtain a Digital Signature

1. A mathematical algorithm is assigned to the document to create a digital fingerprint called a hash.
   This hash is a number that uniquely identifies the document.
2. The Hash is “encrypted” using the signer's private key.
3. The encrypted hash and the signer's public hash are combined into a digital signature that is added to the document.

3 Steps to validate a digital signature

To verify the authenticity of the document, the recipient must have a program that supports digital signatures.

1. The program uses the public key to "decrypt" the hash key.
2. Then it calculates a new hash for the document.
3. Finally, compare the calculated hash with the decrypted hash; if they match, the document has not been modified.

The program also guarantees the validity of the signature and that it belongs to the name that signed it.

More and more companies are aware of the importance of ensuring security and providing legal guarantees for all documents signed by their clients, suppliers, and employees.

If you want to use any type of electronic signature, Contact us!! We will review your processes and provide you with the safest and most efficient online procedures platform on the market.