Introduction:
E- signature (Electronic signature) is an equivalent digital version of the physical signature. The electronic signature confirms content within a document. It also uses several details like Email, employee ID to verify a signer’s identity.
On the other hand, digital signature service is a technology that is based on encryption and decryption procedure. It uses several complex codes to encrypt your documents. These codes consist of many computer-generated characters. It is used in public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
Differences between E-signature and Digital signature:
There are several differences between e signature and digital signature.
- The primary function of an electronic signature is checking or verifying a document (record or contract). In contrast, the digital signature service provides protection and secures our documents.
- An electronic signature is a risky process because it can tamper easily. The digital signature service is highly protected.
- Anyone can execute an electronic signature because of it; this service is so much risky and vulnerable. Only the certificate authority can perform this digital signature service. For this reason, this service is so much secured from other malicious entities.
- An electronic signature is fast as well as an easy process. Anyone can execute this process. Digital signature service is a complex process; that’s why it is regarded as a highly protected service.
- A digital signature is another form of electronic signature. Digital signature secures our document by utilizing cryptography (cryptography is a unique method of protecting documents by using codes. These codes are made from several mathematical concepts and sets of rule-based calculations. These rule-based calculations are called algorithms.)
Nowadays, when two parties execute any transaction, a notary must prove the documents’ authentication. This notary is done to assure both parties.
This same issue of authentication is also applicable for electronic documents. As a remedy to this problem, a digital signature is used. This digital signature is equivalent to a notarized signature, which is done on a document to prove its authentication.
An electronic signature is the digital form of a wet ink signature. It verifies the signer’s identity by using his/her email account, employee ID, etc.
As digital certificates use cryptography to secure the documents, you can detect any changes in the documents. Electronic signatures do not allow this type of facility.
Conclusion:
Digital signature, electronic signature, these two technologies seem to be similar to their names, but there are many differences between these two technologies.
Nowadays, electronic signatures are widely used in several fields (consent forms, registration forms, and online petitions, forms that require terms of service agreements, non-disclosure agreements, incident reporting, and human resources forms).
Though these two services possess the same purposes (authentication of the documents), digital certificates are more secure than electronic certificates.
These two virtual services are the ways of adopting automation (automation is an innovative technology that proceeds a process by allowing minimum human interference and maximum technological assistance).
Before the invention of e-signature, several industries needed papers to sign and collect payments from new clients but now e-signature aids in reducing printing and paper costs.
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