Back to Basics: The Advantages of Digital Signing over Electronic Signing

At first glance, “electronic signature” and “digital signature” might seem like two ways of saying the same thing. In fact, they are often used interchangeably in casual conversation. However, in the world of cybersecurity and legal compliance, the difference between the two is vast.

Understanding these differences starts with looking at what we actually expect a signature to do. Whether it’s on paper or a screen, a signature serves two primary purposes:

1. Identity (Authenticity): Proving that the person who signed is who they say they are.

2. Integrity (Reliability): Ensuring that the document hasn’t been altered after the signature was applied.

The Problem with Simple Electronic Signatures (eSignatures)

An electronic signature is a broad term that covers any electronic mark, sound, or process attached to a record to show intent to sign. This can be as simple as:

• Checking a box on a “Terms and Conditions” page.

• Typing your name at the bottom of an email.

• Uploading an image of your handwritten signature onto a PDF.

While convenient, electronic signatures struggle with our two tests of authenticity and reliability. Because an image of a signature is just a collection of pixels, it can be easily copied, pasted, or forged by anyone with basic photo-editing skills. Furthermore, a simple eSignature does not “lock” the document; someone could change the text of a contract after you’ve signed it, and the image of your signature would still sit there, seemingly validating the altered version.

Why Digital Signatures are the Superior Choice

For a process to be classified as Digital Signing, it must use a specific technology called Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Think of a digital signature not just as a mark on a page, but as a sophisticated electronic “seal” that wraps around the entire document.

1. Unforgeable Identity

Unlike a copied image, a digital signature is tied to a unique digital certificate. This certificate acts like a digital passport, verified by a trusted authority, making it nearly impossible to forge.

2. Tamper-Evident Security

This is the “gold standard” of reliability. If even a single comma is changed in a document after it has been digitally signed, the signature will show as “Invalid.” This ensures that the document you see is exactly what was agreed upon.

3. Independent Verification

One of the biggest advantages of digital signing is that it can be verified offline. You don’t need to call the software provider to check if a document is valid; the security is embedded directly into the file itself.

Upgrade Your Document Security Today

In an era of increasing digital fraud, “good enough” isn’t enough for your sensitive contracts. Digital signing offers the same ease of use as a simple electronic signature but adds a layer of cryptographic security that protects your business and your identity.

Ready to see the difference? Experience how simple and secure online signing can be with a Secured Signing account. For those interested in the technical mechanics of PKI, you can explore our deep-dive resources on our website.