What is an advanced electronic signature and how does it work

Nowadays, with the advanced digitalization of processes and digital transformation revolutionizing all spheres of our society, legal and business transactions are increasingly migrating to the online environment. In this context, the electronic signature It has already established itself as one of the main tools, allowing the validation and authentication of documents quickly, safely and efficiently. This includes advanced electronic signature. 

It is part of the categories defined by regulation (such as eIDAS), which plays a fundamental role in guaranteeing the authenticity and integrity of digitally signed documents. But what exactly defines an electronic signature as “advanced”? How does it work and what is its impact on digital transactions?

These are more common questions than you might imagine. With this in mind, we at ZapSign have prepared this article, explaining in detail the concept of advanced electronic signature and examining its main characteristics, functioning and legal aspects, as well as the differences between other types of electronic signature. 

By better understanding this facet of electronic signatures, we will be able to confidently navigate the increasingly digitized environment of legal and business transactions. Good reading!

What is advanced electronic signature?

According to the eIDAS (Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions) regulation, an advanced electronic signature is defined as a set of electronic data that is attached to an electronic document to authenticate the identity of the signatory and ensure the integrity of the content. 

This category of electronic signature is distinguished from others, such as simple and qualified electronic signatures, due to its specific characteristics and the level of security it offers.

The characteristics that differentiate advanced electronic signatures from other categories are crucial to guarantee their authenticity and integrity. Firstly, an advanced electronic signature has a unique link to the signer, which means it is directly linked to the identity of the person using it, making it more reliable and difficult to forge.

Furthermore, the ability to identify the signatory is an essential feature of advanced electronic signatures – meaning that it is possible to clearly identify who signed the document, providing greater transparency and legal certainty to digital transactions.

Another distinctive feature is the exclusive control of the signature creation data by the signatory, which ensures that only the signatory has access to the data necessary to create the electronic signature, thus avoiding any possibility of manipulation or fraud by third parties.

Finally, the advanced electronic signature offers the guarantee that any change to the document is detectable – something crucial to ensure the integrity of the content over time, allowing the parties involved to check whether the document has been modified after signing.

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How the process for creating an advanced electronic signature works

To create an advanced electronic signature, a robust identity authentication and verification process is required, which typically involves issuing a digital certificate. This process ensures that only the authorized signer can create the signature and that their identity is reliably verified. Check out:

Signer identification

The first step in the process of creating an advanced electronic signature is identifying the signer. This can be done through various methods, such as the use of official identification documents, biometric authentication, secure login to platforms online, between others. The choice of method will depend on the security policies and procedures adopted by the organization or platform who is facilitating the transaction.

Digital certificate issuance

After identifying the signatory, it is necessary to issue a digital certificate that will be associated with your electronic signature. A digital certificate is an electronic file that contains information about the signer's identity, such as name, email address, and a cryptographic public key. This certificate is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority, after a rigorous process of verifying the applicant's identity.

Advanced electronic signature creation

With the digital certificate in hand, the signatory can then proceed to create the advanced electronic signature. This generally involves the use of specific software or platforms that facilitate the application of the digital certificate to the electronic document that will be signed. During this process, the digital certificate is used to apply a digital signature to the document, guaranteeing its authenticity and integrity.

Document sharing

Once the advanced electronic signature is created, the signed document can be shared electronically with other parties involved in the transaction. These parties can then verify the authenticity of the advanced electronic signature using the associated digital certificate, thereby ensuring the validity of the document and the identity of the signer.

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The legal validity of the advanced electronic signature

The legal validity and security provided by advanced electronic signatures are essential aspects that drive its increasing adoption in legal and business transactions. This category of electronic signature not only meets the legal requirements established by regulations such as eIDAS in the European Union and similar laws in other jurisdictions, but also offers a number of benefits in terms of security, non-repudiation and document integrity.

In terms of legal validity, the advanced electronic signature is recognized as a valid form of signature in many countries around the world. This is due to the fact that it meets the criteria established by regulations for authenticity, identification of the signatory and integrity of the signed document. 

Therefore, documents signed with an advanced electronic signature have the same legal validity as documents signed traditionally on paper.

In addition to legal validity, advanced electronic signatures provide a high level of security for digital transactions. The use of digital certificates and encryption techniques ensures that the signature is unique, non-forgeable and linked exclusively to the authorized signatory. 

The signatory cannot, therefore, deny having signed the document (non-repudiation) and that any attempt to change the document after signing will be detectable, thus preserving documentary integrity.

This combination of legal validity and security makes advanced electronic signatures an attractive option for a wide range of transactions, from contracts commercials to legal and government documents. 

Furthermore, its application in digital environments brings significant benefits in terms of efficiency, cost reduction and environmental sustainability, by eliminating the need for printing, transporting and physically storing documents.

Having said that, if we compare the advanced electronic signature with the others subscription types, like simple and qualified electronics, it will be possible to observe significant differences in terms of safety and legal requirements. 

While a simple electronic signature offers a basic level of validation, often being just a digital representation of the signer's name, it lacks the robustness necessary to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the signed document – ​​which makes it less suitable for transactions that require a higher level of security and legal validity.

On the other hand, the qualified electronic signature is characterized by a high level of security and is recognized as equivalent to the handwritten signature in many jurisdictions. However, its implementation can be more complex and require the intervention of a Certification Authority to issue qualified digital certificates, which can increase the costs and bureaucracy associated with the process.

In contrast, advanced electronic signatures offer a balance between security and practicality, providing a high level of authentication and integrity without requiring the same levels of complexity and... cost of electronic signature qualified.

The choice between the different types of electronic signature will therefore depend on the specific needs of each transaction, taking into account security requirements, legal validity and practicality. 

While the simple electronic signature may be suitable for low-risk, legal-value transactions, the advanced electronic signature offers an effective intermediate solution, balancing security and convenience. On the other hand, qualified electronic signatures are the most appropriate option for transactions of high legal value and sensitivity, in which rigorous validation and formal recognition are required.

Therefore, if you want to ensure a safe and effective experience when using advanced electronic signatures, we suggest adopting ZapSign's electronic signature solution. 

By choosing our platform, you will be investing in a reliable and innovative tool, capable of simplifying and speeding up your contractual processes. Click here to learn more about our resources and start transforming your workflows right now!