What is a digital signature:
According to wikipedia A digital signature is a mathematical scheme for verifying the authenticity of digital messages or documents.
Electronic Vs. digital
There seems to be a lot of confusion going on about digital and electronic signatures. Many mistake the two for the same thing while they are really totally different.
The electronic signature, also known as e- signature, allows users to graphically sign a an online document by tracing their mouse or finger on screen. It is a tool that simply allows you to collect signatures online. an alternative to the traditional way of signing with the pen on paper, used for consents, approvals, etc.
The Digital signature, on the other hand is a security measure taken to verify the document’s authenticity. It generates a unique digital fingerprint, that uses encryption and acts as a lock on the document, thus preventing it from being forged. So the biggest difference ,therefore, between the 2 signatures is in terms of legality. While the e-signature can easily be changed the digital signature is deeply linked to the content of the document. It stores data such as who signed the document, or when it was signed and any attempt to change it is recorded. This makes it legally binding and admissible as evidence in court.
Are all digital signatures the same ?
The digital signature is encrypted by the private key of the sender. To decrypt the signature, a corresponding public key is required. This public key is a certificate that is signed by a trusted third party, a Certificate Authority like AATL for example.
‘
Few words about Trust service providers
TSPs (Trust Service Providers) and CAs (Certificate Authorities) issue certificate-based digital IDs and timestamps that assure maximum integrity and compliance. Since regulations vary from region to region and industry to industry, trust lists, such as the Adobe Approved Trust List (AATL) are published listing authorities that meet defined requirements.
Our digital signatures
The digital signatures provided by FormTitan are Adobe’s Approved Trust List (AATL) and Microsoft Root Trust List.
These digital signatures document signing certificates are compatible with the leading programs and are an easy to use & cost-effective. Allowing you to add legally binding signatures to your HR forms, invoices, purchase orders, Sales documents, online contracts and more.
Legally Admissible, Compliant Digital Signatures
The digital signatures can help you meet the requirements of many national and industry-specific regulations regarding the legal acceptance of electronic signatures in place of wet ink signatures, including:
- US ESIGN (Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce)
- FDA CFR 21 Part 11
- US UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act)
- US State Professional Engineering (PE) Seals
- UN Model Electronic Signature Law
- Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)
- eIDAS (advanced signatures, eSeals)
- HIPAA
Read more about how to set up a document with a Digital Signature