What is the difference between simple, advanced and qualified electronic signature?

A electronic signature has become essential for validating documents, contracts and transactions in an agile and secure manner. With the increasing digitalization of business and government processes, understanding the different types of electronic signature (simple, advanced and qualified) – is extremely necessary to ensure legal compliance and operational safety.

Law No. 14.063/2020, which regulates the use of electronic signatures in Brazil, establishes these three main types. Each one has specific characteristics that meet different levels of security and legal requirements, adapting to the different needs of organizations and citizens. 

In this article, we will be able to check the differences between these types of signatures, clarifying their applications and the importance of choosing the correct modality for each situation.

Simple, advanced and qualified electronic signature: what are the differences?

Electronic signature is a digital method that authenticates and validates documents and online transactions, replacing the traditional handwritten signature. It ensures the identity of the signatory, the integrity of the document and prevents the signatory from later denying the signature.

In many cases, this method operates – in a secure and verifiable way – as a substitute for handwriting, especially documents and contracts. Electronic signatures are widely accepted in legal and commercial contexts – being applied to contracts, financial transactions, government documents and internal approvals, offering an efficient and secure solution for authenticating documents. documents in the digital environment.

In this way, all processes involved in manually signing a document – ​​such as going to notary offices or sending papers by mail between the parties – can be simplified with the acquisition of an electronic signature.

The same goes for other forms of recognition. For example: when you go to the bank and need to insert your finger into the ATM to perform biometric recognition, this is a subscription type electronics. The same applies when you access a service on the internet and use a token to recognize your identification as well as log in using a personal password.

Depending on the level of security required, the electronic signature can be considered simple, advanced or qualified. Understanding the differences between the three main types of electronic signatures is essential for making informed decisions and ensuring that the level of security and legal validity is appropriate to the context in which the document will be used.

Each modality meets different needs, allowing organizations and individuals to choose the most appropriate option for their digital transactions. Depending on the case, the combination of more than one type of signature must also be considered, in order to obtain improved security in the process.

simple electronic signature

A simple electronic signature is the most accessible and uncomplicated method for authenticating digital documents. It uses methods such as entering passwords, sending codes by email, or even simply typing the name to validate the signatory's identity. 

This simplicity makes the simple electronic signature easy to implement and use, providing a practical solution for a wide range of everyday situations. 

However, the security provided by this type of signature is limited, as it lacks robust mechanisms that guarantee the authenticity of the signatory and the integrity of the signed document, which means that the document may be more vulnerable to fraud and tampering.

In Brazil, the simple electronic signature has its legal validity ensured by Law No. 14.063/2020, as long as all parties involved explicitly agree to its use. However, it is important to highlight that, in contexts that require a higher level of security and proof of identity, the legal validity and acceptance of this signature may be challenged or restricted, especially in legal proceedings or in higher risk commercial transactions.

For this reason, simple electronic signatures are particularly recommended for low-risk situations, where speed and convenience are more important factors than maximum security. 

Examples of use include signing receipts, terms of membership, internal approvals in companies, or other documents that do not require a high level of security. In this way, it proves to be a practical and efficient option for accelerating processes that do not involve sensitive transactions.

Advanced electronic signature

Advanced electronic signature offers a significantly higher level of security compared to simple electronic signature. It requires the subscriber to use more robust authentication methods, such as the use of digital certificates that are not necessarily issued by the Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure (ICP-Brazil). 

These certificates ensure that any changes made to the document after signing will invalidate the signature, thus guaranteeing the integrity of the document. Furthermore, advanced electronic signatures provide more reliable identification of the signatory, reducing the risk of forgery and ensuring that the person who signed the document is who they actually claim to be.

According to Law No. 14.063/2020, the advanced electronic signature has full legal validity and is recognized in contexts where it is essential to ensure both the integrity of the document and the identity of the signatory. 

This type of signature is widely accepted in various contexts, including commercial transactions and processes that require an intermediate level of security, balancing practicality and protection.

Advanced electronic signature is particularly suitable for documents that require an additional layer of security without requiring the maximum rigor of a qualified signature. Application examples include contracts commercial transactions, confidentiality agreements, and medium-sized financial transactions. 

It provides an efficient and secure solution for situations that require a greater level of confidence in the authenticity and integrity of documents, without the need for the level of legal proof that would be required by a qualified signature.

Qualified electronic signature

The qualified electronic signature represents the highest standard of security and reliability available in the field of digital signatures. It uses a digital certificate issued by the Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure (ICP-Brazil), which guarantees the authenticity, integrity and non-repudiation of the signed document. 

This digital certificate is an essential tool that unambiguously links the signer's identity to the document, using advanced cryptographic techniques to ensure that any changes to the document after signing will invalidate the signature. 

As a result, qualified signature provides a robust security layer that protects against fraud and manipulation.

Legally, a qualified electronic signature has the same weight and validity as a handwritten signature, which means it cannot be easily challenged or repudiated in legal proceedings. 

Its legal validity is indisputable and mandatory in situations that require the highest level of legal compliance and security – such as in legal proceedings, high-value transactions, and any other contexts that require substantial proof of authorship and integrity of the document.

Qualified electronic signature is recommended for highly important and risky situations, where maximum security is essential. Application examples include large-value contracts, public deeds, government documents and corporate documents, all of which require solid assurance that the document has not been altered and that the signatory is who they claim to be. 

In such contexts, qualified signature provides a solid foundation of trust and legal compliance, making it the ideal choice for ensuring the integrity and validity of digital documents.

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Conclusion

In the end, we can observe that the three types of electronic signature — simple, advanced and qualified — offer different levels of security and legal validity, adapting to different needs and contexts.

In short, simple electronic signatures are ideal for low-risk documents that require agility, such as receipts and membership terms. It is easy to implement, but offers less security and may have its legal validity questioned in situations that require greater proof of identity.

Advanced electronic signatures offer a balance between security and ease of use, being suitable for commercial contracts and agreements that require a greater guarantee of integrity and authenticity. Its legal validity is widely recognized, but it does not require the same rigor as a qualified signature.

Finally, qualified electronic signatures are the right choice for situations that require the highest level of security and legal compliance, such as large-value contracts and government documents. Similar to a handwritten signature, its legal validity is indisputable.

When choosing the electronic signature modalityIt is essential to consider the level of risk and the importance of the document in question, so that the choice meets both security needs and legal requirements, providing peace of mind and confidence in digital transactions.

To facilitate the choice of the electronic signature modality best suited to your needs, it is important to have a trusted platform and that meets legal and safety requirements.

ZapSign offers different electronic signature plans that adapt to different user profiles and demands. Therefore, we invite you to Click here and learn more about our options, thus ensuring the best experience and security in your digital transactions.