What is the difference between electronic signature and digital certificate?

Electronic signature and digital certificate These are resources used to validate documents in the digital environment, but they are not the same thing. An electronic signature is the general term: any electronic method capable of proving authorship and expression of will. A digital certificate, on the other hand, is a more specific type, linked to a digital signature, with cryptography, authentication, integrity, and legal validity according to the ICP-Brasil standard.

Given this scenario, these two technological resources stand out in such a way that they cannot even be considered as simple innovations, but as elementary requirements for the optimization of the processes of a particular business. 

After all, these are specific tools that perform, by digital means, the verification and recognition of the identity of people and the ownership of online platforms, guaranteeing the legitimacy and legal validity of agreements and contracts signed in a virtual environment.

Nowadays, there are several different ways to digitally sign a document, which is why most companies around the world are increasingly using these tools. 

It is also worth noting that, according to the data from the National Institute of Information Technology (ITI), the number of active digital certificates in Brazil, in 2022, already exceeds 10 and a half million – about a million more than in 2021.

However, it is still common to have some confusion about what are, in fact, the differences between a digital signature and a digital certificate. In order to clarify these doubts, we have prepared this special article, explaining both concepts in detail. 

By understanding the main characteristics of each one and in which situations they apply, you will be able to implement them among the elementary practices of your company. Come on?

Summary

• Difference between electronic signature, digital signature, and digital certificate.
• Why electronic signatures function as the general category and digital certificates as the specific type.
• Because digital certificates use cryptography for authentication, integrity, and security.
• On which documents can electronic signatures be applied?
• Digital certificates are issued by authorities linked to ICP-Brasil.
• What technical guarantees underpin an electronic signature, such as authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation?

Quick facts

• An electronic signature is the broad concept for validating authorship in digital documents, provided it meets the requirements of legal validity in electronic media.
• A digital certificate is a more specific type of electronic signature, issued within a... certification chain linked to ICP-Brasil.
• The digital certificate reinforces authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation, as it uses cryptographic keys to link the signatory to the document. digital certification processes.

Electronic signature and digital certificate: what is the difference?

Understanding the difference between an electronic signature and a digital certificate is essential in today's digital world.

Electronic signature and digital certificate They differ in scope and technical level of authentication. Electronic signature is the general term, as it includes any electronic method used to validate authorship. Digital certificate is a specific type related to digital signature, based on cryptography, private key, public key, and the ICP-Brasil standard to reinforce authenticity, integrity, and legal validity.

This method employs advanced cryptography, where mathematical data is used to unambiguously link the signer to the document. Subsequent changes to the document signed with a digital certificate are detectable, making the process safe and reliable.

Thus, while the electronic signature simplifies processes, the digital certificate adds an extra layer of authentication and security. Below, we will discuss more about each one.

Concept	Function	Technical characteristics
Electronic signature	Validates authorship and expression of will in the digital environment.	A broad genre, it can use different electronic mechanisms.
Digital signature	Signs documents exclusively electronically.	A type of electronic signature using cryptography.
Electronic Certificates	Identifies individuals or legal entities in digital transactions.	It uses the ICP-Brasil standard, private key, and public key.
A1 and A3 Certificates	They allow for authentication and digital signature.	A1 usually stays on the computer; A3 on a token or smartcard.

What is an electronic signature and why is it a genre?

Electronic signature is the genre in which the digital certificate is one of its species. Broadly speaking, An electronic signature is one that uses any electronic or digital mechanism to validate the authorship of a given act..

The electronic signature has legal validity in virtually every country in the world. In Brazil, it was introduced by several norms, in particular by the Provisional Measure No. 2.200-2/2001 and by Provisional Measure No. 983 of 2020.

Electronic signatures replace the traditional handwritten signature with “pen and paper” in a more efficient and economical way, becoming extremely widespread in companies seeking to optimize their processes.

Thus, it can be widely used for the most diverse types of documents shared over the internet, such as: 

• signing contracts and additives; 
• employment documents, such as payrolls, terminations, forms or warnings; 
• and health reports; 
• payment or service orders; 
• purchase and sale contracts; 
• and many others.

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What is a digital certificate and why is it a type of certificate?

The digital certificate, on the other hand, is a specific type of electronic signature, which guarantees the highest degree of reliability within the types of electronic signatures, however its mandatory use is extremely restricted.

Therefore, it guarantees the identity and integrity of issuers (which can be both natural and legal persons) during any exchange of information in the digital environment. The digital certificate also allows its holder to access electronic services from the Federal Revenue and Justice, for example. 

In the same way as other types of electronic signatures, the digital certificate promotes practicality, agility and security in digital bureaucratic processes, making traditional means increasingly unnecessary, in addition to ensuring points such as: 

• sustainability;
• confidentiality;
• authenticity and legal validity to online transaction validation processes;
• signing of powers of attorney;
• internal data authentication;
• as well as a host of other situations.

Two well-known examples of digital certificates are the e-CNPJ and the OAB token used by lawyers.

Among the different types of digital certificates, the most commonly used are A1 and A3 certificates. The first is normally stored on the requester's computer and integrated into the Internet browser), while the second is stored on smartcards or password-kept tokens.

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How is a digital certificate obtained?

Another difference between electronic signature and digital certificates is that digital certificates can only be issued by a certification authority linked to the ICP-Brazil.

On the other hand, other types of electronic signatures can be carried out by tools not linked to ICP - BRAZIL, provided that the requirements set out in the  Provisional Measure No. 2.200-2/2001.

Certification authorities (ACs) are the bodies responsible for issuing, distributing, renewing, revoking, and managing the digital certificatesTherefore, their primary purpose is to ensure that the holder of the digital certificate possesses the private key corresponding to the public key related to the certificate.

To request your digital certificate from a CA, you need to contact an accredited registration authority (AR). The ARs are responsible for receiving clients in order to check the documentation for issuing the certificate.

In Brazil, the root certification authority is ICP-Brasil (Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure). As the first authority in the certification chain, it is responsible for overseeing and auditing the others. certification authorities, ensuring that they operate in accordance with their basic guidelines.

The complete list of certification authorities accredited by ICP-Brasil can be found at website of the ITI – National Institute of Information Technology. Interfacing directly with the CAs, the ITI is the body responsible for accrediting and de-accrediting participants in the certification chain, in addition to supervising and auditing the processes.

It is important to note that, among the various public and private companies that work as ACs, it is possible to observe different criteria for issuing documents, as well as different costs. 

It is up to the person or entity interested in acquiring their digital certificate to assess which among the supplying institutions best suits their own needs, before making this decision.

What are the electronic signature guarantees?

All electronic signatures (as you've already learned here, this includes digital certificates) serve to bind the signer's identity. In this way, it is safe to say that, once this type of signature is carried out, the identity or the content of the document in question can no longer be altered – otherwise, the electronic signature will be invalidated.

The electronic signature, therefore, serves to guarantee:

• the principles of authenticity, as it verifies that the content of the signed document has not been violated by the recipient; 
• integrity, as it ensures that sender and recipients receive the same document, containing the same data; 
• non-repudiation, as the signer is not allowed to deny or repudiate the document after it has been signed; 

This security in electronic signature procedures is due to the fact that its mechanism makes use of cryptographic keys. In short, the encryption process consists of encoding digital information, so that only the sender and receiver are able to access the data present there.

Therefore, it is absolutely safe to say that the primary purpose of the electronic signature is to link the manifestation of will of a signatory to a certain document, whether physical or legal, that carry out online transactions, preventing fraud, cyber attacks and similar problems.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is the difference between electronic signature and digital certificate?

Electronic signature is the general term: any electronic method used to validate authorship. Digital certificate is a more specific type, used in digital signatures, with cryptography, authentication, and adherence to the ICP-Brasil standard.

Does an electronic signature require a digital certificate?

Not always. Electronic signatures can be made using electronic mechanisms that prove authorship and validity. A digital certificate is only required in specific situations, when a higher level of authentication is sought or technical requirements are met.

Are a digital signature and a digital certificate the same thing?

No. A digital signature is a type of electronic signature made with cryptography. A digital certificate is the electronic document that identifies the signatory and allows for the use of this signature with greater security.

Is a digital certificate legally valid?

Yes. A digital certificate linked to the ICP-Brasil standard guarantees the authenticity, integrity, and legal validity of the signed document, functioning as an electronic identification for individuals or legal entities.

What guarantees does an electronic signature offer?

Electronic signatures can guarantee authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation. This means linking the signer to the document, protecting the content against alterations, and making it difficult to later deny the signature.