13 Nov Types of Electronic Signature According to EIDAS.
The electronic signature has become an essential tool in the digital world, particularly for online transactions and communications. Its main function is to confirm the authenticity and integrity of documents or transactions, acting as the digital equivalent of a handwritten signature on paper. This is crucial for ensuring the signer’s identity and preventing document manipulation once signed.
At the European level, the eIDAS Regulation, which sets legal limits for data identification and electronic signing within the European Union, recognizes three main types of electronic signatures: simple, advanced, and qualified.
Simple Electronic Signature: This type of signature is the most basic and therefore offers a lower level of security. Although it’s easy to use, its main limitation is that it does not unequivocally identify the signer. Despite having legal effects and being admissible in court, it generally requires additional evidence to establish its legal validity. This means that, to be considered as evidence in a trial, the simple electronic signature must be complemented with other supporting elements.
Advanced Electronic Signature: Unlike the simple signature, the advanced electronic signature provides an unequivocal identification of the signer. It is uniquely linked to the signer and has been created using electronic signature creation data that the signer can exclusively control and with a high level of confidence. Additionally, this signature is linked to the signed data in such a way that any subsequent modification is detectable. This level of security and reliability makes it suitable for applications requiring greater assurance of the signer’s identity and the integrity of the document.
Qualified Electronic Signature: Although not detailed in the source, it can be inferred that this type represents the highest level of security and reliability in electronic signatures. Generally, it would imply more rigorous processes both in verifying the signer’s identity and the security of the signature itself.
In conclusion, the choice of electronic signature type will depend on specific needs and the required level of security. While the simple electronic signature may be suitable for less important or lower-risk transactions, the advanced and qualified electronic signatures are preferable for more critical or sensitive transactions. Understanding and correctly applying these types of electronic signatures are fundamental to security and efficiency in the modern digital environment.