Nowadays, the really safest way to send and receive signed documents is by electronic means.
With the implementation of electronic signature software and digital signatures, individuals and organizations have been given away to sign critical documents and complete processes faster than ever.
But what exactly are digital signatures? To be honest, digital signatures are often confused with electronic signatures. And although they work hand in hand, digital signatures and electronic signatures serve two different functions.
What is Customized and Standard E-Signature?
Customized contract and Standard E-Signature are a kind of fingerprints for electronic documents. Digital signatures are the element that permanently links a signer to the electronic form they signed.
When someone signs an electronic document with a digital signature, there is a lot going on behind the scenes. First, a private encryption key is added. The document is then locked using a hash algorithm. As soon as the recipient receives the electronic document, a public decryption key must match the private encryption key of the hash algorithm in order to then “unlock” the signature and verify it as valid.
The generation of the public and private keys mentioned above is called Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This process allows the signature to be validated as authentic after it is signed and prevents anyone from forging, duplicating, or copying the signature.
Public Key (PKI) workings
CAs are set up by a Trust Service Provider (TSP). TSPs are third-party providers that are used in the digital signature process to check the correctness of the digital and public keys and to create a certificate that documents the validity.
A flowchart showing the digital signature security process; this includes signed document data, final private encryption keys, document hash algorithms and public decryption keys. The DocsignPro can easily help you in this matter. This means they are more secure than the regular ink pen signatures.
The advantages of Customized and Standard E-Signature
There are various advantages of E-signature that your company can avail in no time. Down below is the list of these advantages.
Increased security:
The added security that digital signatures provide for your important documents is irreplaceable. PKIs and CAs ensure that every signature is verified, signed, and sealed – and, in contrast to conventional paper documents, make the document practically forgery-proof.
Verifiability:
The best online signature app enables complete traceability of documents, so you can see where and when documents were signed with timestamps, what changes were made to the form, and who signed it.
Legally binding:
Electronic signature Online not only offers more security, but thanks to the ESIGN and UETA laws, they are also legally proof for most transactions.
Higher standards:
By including an Electronic signature online in your electronically signed documents, you can ensure that the data and validity of the document are of a higher standard that will give you and your customers more confidence in the process.
How digital signatures are legally binding
Thanks to two laws passed in the US over 20 years ago, digital signatures are legally binding in most cases. After the federal laws ESIGN and UETA were passed, it was determined that electronic and digital signatures are valid and legally binding as long as basic guidelines are observed. To comply with these laws, digital signatures must meet the following requirements:
-
- Must show a clear intention to sign
- The consent to electronic business transactions must be clearly agreed
- A unique signature mapping record must be maintained
- A unique symbol for e-signature
If the aforementioned circumstances are met, digital signatures can legally be used:
- Lots of legal documents and services
- Government forms
- Loan applications and other financial transactions
- Employment contracts
- Business contracts
- Receipts
- Service contracts
- Prescriptions and health documents
- Other binding agreements
And much more!
