Here is how sending a digital signature works: These keys are normally stored safely thanks to the help of a trusted CA. A timestamp of when the document was signed using the key is also generated. These keys are normally stored safely thanks to the help of a trusted CA.īoth public and private keys are generated using a mathematical algorithm they provide the signer with their own digital identity and then a digital signature is generated and encrypted using that signer’s corresponding private key.
Using both public and private keys that are generated using a mathematical algorithm to provide the signer with their own digital identity, a digital signature is generated and encrypted using that signer’s private key, and also a timestamp of when the document was signed using the key. PKI relies upon the use of two related keys, a public key and a private key, that together create a key pair to encrypt and decrypt a message using strong public key cryptography algorithms. How Do Digital Signatures Work?ĭigital signatures use public key infrastructure (PKI), which is considered the gold standard for digital identity authentication and encryption. Digital signatures comply with the most demanding regulatory requirements, including the United States Federal ESIGN Act and other applicable international laws. Other, less secure e-signature types may use common electronic authentication methods to verify the signer’s identity, such as an email address, a corporate username/ID, or a phone number/PIN.Īs a result of different technical and security requirements, electronic signatures vary in industry, geographic, and legal acceptance. Digital signatures use PKI certificates from a Certificate Authority (CA), a type of Trust Service Provider, to ensure identity authentication and document integrity by encrypted binding of the signature to the document. But there are many different types of electronic signatures, each allowing users to sign documents digitally and offering some degree of identity authentication.ĭigital signatures are one of those electronic signature technologies and are the most secure type available. As documents and communication are increasingly paperless, businesses and consumers worldwide have embraced the speed and convenience of these types of signatures. Digital Signature vs Electronic SignatureĮlectronic signatures, commonly referred to as e-signatures, are a broad set of solutions that use an electronic process for accepting a document or transaction with a signature. Based on the highest standard of security, digital signatures are legally binding in the United States and many other countries.
Digital signatures are similar to physical signatures in the sense that both are unique to the signer, except that in the case of digitally signed documents, a digital signature offers far more security and the assurance of the document’s origin, identity, and integrity. A digital signature is a PKI-based digital certificate that authenticates the identity of the signer and ensures electronically transmitted documents and digital messages have not been forged or tampered with.