Do you know the difference between electronic seal and electronic signature? Although both concepts are very similar, it is important to know their definitions in order to use them correctly in your digital processes.
Therefore, we tell you what they are and what is the difference between these two solutions, so that you can use them in your company with Viafirma.
Is there a difference between electronic signature and electronic seal?
Digital transformation offers tremendous benefits, but it also presents significant challenges for organizations and users. Fortunately, we have tools to make things easier. Electronic signatures and seals, among others, are key to achieving greater security and efficiency in transactions conducted in the digital universe.
What is an electronic seal?
The eIDAS Regulation defines an electronic seal or eSeal as data in electronic format attached to, or logically associated with, other data that guarantees the origin and integrity of the latter.
In other words, it is a means of sealing electronic documents on behalf of companies or public entities (legal entities) similar to the traditional company seal.
To avoid any type of fraud, a qualified digital certificate involved in the creation of the seal is used to certify the origin and integrity of the data.
What is an electronic signature?
It is a broad concept that encompasses different technical systems. Its function is to allow the identification of the signatory of an electronic document in an unequivocal way, through cryptographic methods that ensure its authenticity and security, guaranteeing the impossibility of forging a digital signature.
Both concepts are very similar but if we look for the difference between electronic seal and electronic signature we can see that the eSeal is used to identify a company or corporate entity without the need to include personal data, so it is only available for legal entities.
3 types of electronic seals
The eIDAS Regulation on electronic identification and trust services defines 3 types of eSeal:
- Electronic seal: data in electronic format attached to, or logically associated with, other data in electronic format to ensure the origin and integrity of the latter
- Advanced electronic seal: an electronic seal that meets the following requirements:
- Be uniquely bonded to the sealant.
- Allow identification of the sealant.
- Have been created using electronic seal creation data that the sealer can use for the creation of an electronic seal, with a high level of confidence, under his control.
- Be linked to the data to which it refers in such a way that any subsequent modification of this data is recognizable.
- Qualified electronic seal: an advanced electronic seal that is created by a qualified electronic seal creation device and is based on a qualified electronic seal certificate.
Advantages of using these tools in your business
These solutions bring great advantages to your company, helping you to be more competitive. Specifically, we can highlight three main benefits:
- 💰Saves time and money. It allows you to eliminate the costs of printing, mailing and storing documents. By replacing manual tasks with electronic stamps and electronic signatures, you can work faster and more efficiently.
- 🚀 Differentiate yourself from your competition. In such a competitive world any added value will position you better in the market, transmitting a modern image in the mind of your customer.
- 🌋 Improve your productivity and business performance. Having this type of technological tools allows you to automate the workflow when closing electronic agreements.
Use your stamp and electronic signature with Viafirma
Viafirma allows us to upload any eSeal certificate to the platform, so that any document is previously approved and automatically validated with our digital seal.
In addition, our platform allows companies to send documents for remote verification (OTP SMS, biometric signature, etc.) with full legal guarantees from any device, avoiding any unnecessary travel and without requiring an electronic certificate from the parties.