Digital signatures fall within the broad category of electronic signatures, which may make the difference between them seem blurry. But if you dive into the topic, it’s actually quite easy to set the line.
Table of contents
1. Digital signature vs electronic signature: table summary
2. Electronic signatures: what are they?
3. Digital signatures: what are they?
4. Electronic signatures: brief history (EU focused)
5. Types of electronic signatures
6. Digital signatures vs electronic signatures: choosing the right option
7. Verifying electronic signatures and customer identities
8. Frequently asked questions
Digital signatures work with an additional layer of authorization using various encryption methods, including the PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) technology. All those high-tech words suggest one simple conclusion: digital signatures differ from simple electronic signatures in the identity verification process.
For simple e-signatures, the authorization is done via email or a phone number, with a unique code sent to the signer.
A standard electronic signature can be used for most documents that do not require a written form under penalty of invalidity. Virtually, allowing you to use them for signing 90% of documents in business transactions.
In turn, in the case of digital signatures, identity verification of the signer is added to the process, whether that’s uploading ID documents with AES signatures or a one-on-one session with a Certificate Authority.
Therefore, the additional level of authorization comes with more steps that need to be taken to digitally sign a document. And that’s precisely where simple electronic signatures win, requiring fewer steps to complete them, while still being legally binding and secure.
Of course, besides this main difference, digital and electronic signatures are distinct in more intricate ways, which we go in-depth on in this article.
Digital signature vs electronic signature: table summary
| |
Digital Signature |
Electronic Signature |
| Definition |
A type of electronic signature that uses cryptographic technologies to enhance security and prevent tampering with the signed document. |
A broader term for any electronic process, symbol, or sound that indicates consent or approval of a given document’s content. |
| Security level |
Very high—employs PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), digital certificates, identity verification, and cryptographic encryption. |
High—SES signatures offer high security and serve signing most agreements and contracts, with no intricate clauses, like non-competes. |
| Process complexity |
More complex—requires steps such as identity verification, and potentially face-to-face authentication with certificate authorities. |
Simpler—may involve typing a name, verifying the signature via email, clicking a button, or uploading a scanned signature. |
| Use cases |
Sensitive or high-security documents like employment contracts with copyright transferring or non-compete clauses, insurance policies, or financial agreements. |
Agreements or documents, such as contracts of cooperation, contracts of sales of movable properties, service provision agreements. |
| Types |
Advanced tools like Autenti’s QES or AES requiring signer’s identity verification through more advanced sources, like certificate authorities. |
Tools like Autenti’s SES, allowing simple authentication methods, like email-based verification. |
Electronic signatures: what are they?
Electronic signature or e-signature is a way of signing documents electronically, allowing people to indicate their consent or approval of a given document.
Electronic signatures are generally defined as any electronic process, symbol, or sound that is stored electronically. They are tied to a specific document and executed by a person with the intent to sign that document.
The European Commission states in its definition that electronic signatures not only capture the person’s intent to sign a given document, but also the intent to be bound by the document’s terms—making it a legal concept of such an agreement.
When speaking of simple electronic signatures, think about simple actions such as typing your name, scanning an image of a handwritten signature, clicking on an “I agree” button, or even drawing your signature on a touchscreen of your device.
Electronic signatures are generally legally binding as set by different regulations across the globe. For example, the eIDAS regulation that sets the standards across the EU Member States, the E-Sign Act in the United States or the ZertES Federal law in Switzerland.
Digital signatures: what are they?
Digital signatures are a type of electronic signature that provide a higher level of authorization based on the PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) technology, which binds each signature to the document itself.
Think of it as a stapler to your digital signature and the document you’re signing, ensuring proper document integration, sealing the whole thing together.
The PKI technology explained simply means that each signature comes with two sets of keys, one public and one private.
The private PKI keys can only be accessed by the signer, while the public PKI keys are used to identify the person signing the document and are typically included in the digital certificates we’ll talk about in a second.
What’s important to highlight is that digital signatures actually verify the identity of the person signing the document and ensure that the signature won’t be tampered with between sending and receiving the document, all the way through its electronic journey.
Besides the PKI technology that issues private and public keys for each signature, digital signatures add another security layer by backing them using a digital certificate issued by Trust Service Providers (TSP).
Trust Service Providers are not just any entity or person. These are authorities regulated by governments to help authenticate electronic signatures.
To create a digital signature, you need to complete more steps and may need special resources, which may include but are not limited to:
- your online banking account,
- a face-to-face or video appointment with a Certificate Authority to verify your identity,
- a scan or image of your ID or passport,
- and more, depending on the type of digital signature you use.
Electronic signatures: brief history (EU focused)
A pivotal regulation for electronic and digital signature in the European Union was the eIDAS regulation, issued in July 2014.
Specifically—electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services, which is a Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014.
The initial iteration of the eIDAS regulation ensured mutual recognition of electronic identification (eIDs) and certificates across Member States, promoted cross-border interoperability, and offered standardized trust services—such as electronic signatures, seals, and timestamps—enhancing security and legal reliability in digital transactions.
Although the regulation was issued in 2014, its provisions came into effect across the European Union between 2016 and 2018.
Later on, eIDAS evolved into a second iteration, prompting the issuing of eIDAS 2.0. The amended regulation broadened the Trust Services with new additions, including the European Digital Identity Wallet for secure cross-border access, an attribute attestation service for simplified transactions, or an archiving service to ensure long-term document integrity.
Types of electronic signatures
Now, knowing that digital signatures are part of the electronic signatures group, we can dive into a more distinct categorization of both signature types to seal the deal and recognize their differences more easily.
Simple Electronic Signatures (SES)
Starting from the least difficult to obtain and create—Simple Electronic Signatures (SES) are the most basic of e-signatures.
Although SES signatures are at a basic level, they’re fully secure and legally binding, making them strongly universal for signing different documents in business transactions.
With this first-level electronic signature, the whole process relies on simple authentication, for example, using code verification sent via email.
Autenti’s e-signature is the perfect example of a SES signature that can be easily done online.
Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES)
Signing documents with more intricate clauses, you can go for Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES) instead.
AES is an example of a digital signature that grants a higher level of authorization by verifying the signer's identity.
Still, completing the AES remains quite simple. For example, all you need to create an AES signature with Autenti is an internet connection, a mobile device or PC, and your ID. The whole process takes just a few minutes, but grants more security thanks to the ID authentication.
Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)
Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) equivalent to the handwritten signature is the most secure and complex form of electronic signatures we’re deciphering in this article.
QES as a true digital signature is verified by qualified electronic signature certificates discussed earlier. This time, an email address or an internet connection is not sufficient to create the signature.
As explained earlier, you may need additional resources and confirmations, such as logging into your online banking account or scheduling a face-to-face or video session with the Certificate Authority to confirm your identity.
Used in multiple cases and situations, through a variety of industries, from HR with contracts of employment or non-compete agreements, through finances and insurance contracts, or real estate with reservation agreements.
Since QES signatures require a third-party verifier, it may be more difficult to complete such a signature. In this case, going for a trusted platform is best.
Signing documents with Autenti’s QES service, you can choose whichever QES provider you find most fitting, from 170+ available across the EU.
Digital signatures vs electronic signatures: choosing the right option
There are situations where choosing simple electronic signatures is a wise choice, but there are cases where it’s critical to go for a digital signature instead.
Let’s review three scenarios.
Agency agreements with SES
Agency agreements are a perfect example where complex digital signatures may not be necessary, and can be replaced with simple e-signatures, like SES.
For example, an agency specializing in acquiring backlinks can sign an agreement with a known client using SES, verifying with provided data, like an email address or a phone number.
The agreement can simply list the tasks and duties the agency will be completing during a set period of time. If the agency and customer have a set relationship, a SES signature may be just enough to seal the deal.
Should the agency need to sign a contract with more intricate provisions, such as transferring copyright or a non-compete clause, a need for a more advanced electronic signature, like AES or QES would be recommended.
But generally speaking, most contracts can be signed with SES, making it easy and accessible. Contracts like:
- contract for the sale of movable property,
- contract of mandate,
- cooperation agreement,
- service provision agreement,
- can be signed using SES signatures.
Collecting simple electronic signatures, such as in the case of agency agreements, is best done with a proper tool in place.
Autenti lets you collect e-signatures from multiple recipients, verifying their identity with an email address. Signers don’t need to create an account to submit their declaration of intent, the document will be simply shared with them by email and the signature will be created in a few minutes.
Insurance contracts with digital signatures
Pru, a company that specializes in insurance protection and saving, is yet another great example of dealing with sensitive data while needing to sign a lot of documents on a daily basis.
Complex processes that require signing so many sensitive documents can be a particular challenge. To make things smooth, Pru decided to put their trust in Autenti and used their digital signatures to facilitate the procedures of signing insurance contracts with customers, which now takes place fully online.
Daniel Fietkiewicz, Director of Sales Support, and Monika Sykulska, Contract Manager say that:
“The streamlining of contract finalisation translated into reduced time needed to complete the process. Consequently, our consultants can start meeting with clients sooner and begin earning money.”
HR documentation with QES
A great example of implementing digital signatures, like QES, is HR.
Human Resources require a lot of paperwork that can be digitalised to make things easier for both parties—the company and the employees.
In these cases, a digital signature is particularly essential since HR deals with sensitive data and intricate clauses in contracts.
EcoVadis—a company that helps businesses worldwide improve their performance in environmental, ethical, and social responsibility issues, switched to digital QES signatures with Autenti to deal with their HR operations and found it to help tremendously in a series of issues. From time saving to ecological matters.
Marta Krzywicka, People Operations Director says this about the introduction of digital signatures with Autenti:
“It’s an incredible convenience, which saves time and effort for those involved in HR administration, and it also makes things easier for employees, who now receive their documents almost instantly after they are created.”
Verifying electronic signatures and customer identities
The last issue to be reviewed around the electronic signature vs digital signature dispute is verifying the signatures themselves.
If you’re on the receiving end of things—you may need to complete additional steps to make sure the electronic signature you received is accurate.
To be 100% sure that the signed document you received has not been forged or changed in any way, you can use signature validation.
Autenti Validator—a tool that verifies every type of electronic signature is a perfect example. It issues a detailed report containing the results of the verification called the Validation Attestation.
In a similar vein, working with customers in a myriad of industries, a need for identity verification is often a must.
From verifying patients before sending over the results of their lab tests online to reviewing a new loan application. In cases like this, you should go for an identification verification.
A good example of a service that covers such a process safely is Autenti’s Broker ID—a secure online platform that offers eID (eIdentification) tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is an electronic signature?
An electronic signature is a broad term for any signature created online, either simply by scanning an image of a signature, ticking a “I confirm” box, or verifying a signature with a code sent by email. Electronic signatures are generally secure and legally binding, thanks to different regulations worldwide, like eIDAS compliance in the EU, ZertES compliance in Switzerland, or E-Sign Act compliance in the US.
What is a digital signature?
Digital signature is a type of electronic signature that’s more complex and uses various cryptographic technologies to seal the documents and prevent any frauds or tampering. Digital ensures additional authorization, hence, it’s often used for digitally signing highly sensitive documents, such as employment contracts with intricate clauses, such as transferring copyrights.
What is the key difference between electronic and digital signatures?
Some use the terms digital signature and electronic signature interchangeably, but there are key differences between electronic signatures and digital ones. Besides the already mentioned heightened authorization of digital signatures with digital certificates, seals, and PKI technology, digital signatures are also more complex to create.
When to choose electronic and digital signatures?
When signing a digital document, you should choose between electronic signatures and digital signatures based on the complexity of the data included in it. If it’s complex provisions, like HR documents with non-compete clauses, use digital signatures, either AES or QES. Documents that don’t contain such intricate clauses, like a regular cooperation agreement, can be signed with a simple SES signature.
