In today's digital world, signing documents electronically has become a common practice for both businesses and individuals. However, many people often confuse the terms "digital signature" and "electronic signature." Although they both serve the same general purpose – authenticating and approving documents, they are not the same. So it is very crucial for you to understand the difference so that you can make the right choice when it comes to securing your documents online. 

In this guest blog, we will explore the major key difference between digital signature and Electronic Signature. This will help you to choose the ideal solution as per your requirement.

Definition of Electronic Signature and Digital Signature

Before we directly jump to the differences between eSignatur and DSC, let’s have a brief discussion about what exactly these are.

Electronic Signature Online

An eSignature Online refers to any kind of signature that someone creates and transmits in a digital form. It could be a typed name, a scanned image of a handwritten signature, or a simple checkbox. The main focus of e Signature Online is on the intent of the signer to approve the document. 

Digital Signature

A digital signature uses a cryptographic method to validate the authenticity of a message or document. It is essentially a mathematical technique that ensures the integrity of a document and the identity of the signer. So that businesses can maintain a secure method of signing documents.

Difference Between Digital Signature and Electronic Signature

Here are the major difference of eSignature and Digital signature that you need to understand:

Security of Documents

Digital signatures are highly secure because they use encryption methods, like public and private key pairs. This ensures that no one has tampered with the document and the identity of the signer is protected. If someone tries to alter the signed document, the digital signature becomes invalid.

On the other hand, Electronic Signature Services do not necessarily offer the same level of security. While some eSignature platforms often include encryption and authentication measures, others may often have minimal security features. It may not provide the same tamper-proof level of protection as digital signatures.

Technology

Digital signatures often rely on advanced cryptographic techniques, specifically asymmetric cryptography, to create a unique signature. This involves the use of a private key (kept secret by the signer) and a public key (which can be shared with others to verify the signature). This advanced technique ensures that only authorised users can sign and access the document.

However, if we look at the Electronic Signature Online, it is a more flexible option. Various technologies can create it according to the demand of the business. For instance, users can make it using a mouse or touchscreen to draw a signature, by typing their name, or even through voice recognition.

Verification Process

The process of verifying a digital signature is highly technical. Using cryptographic keys, we can verify that the private key (used to sign the document) belongs to the signer's identity by using a public key. This ensures that no one can alter the document.

On the other side, verifying an Electronic Signature is typically simpler. It might involve checking the signer’s email, a security question, or just confirming that the document was signed electronically. However, it does not offer you the same level of  integrity and authenticity.

Usage

Industries in sectors such as banking, government, and healthcare commonly use digital signatures for high-security purposes like signing contracts, distributing software, and processing legal documents.

Whereas, eSignature is widely used in everyday situations, such as signing consent forms, contracts, or online agreements. Both individuals and businesses use them for quick and easy signing of less sensitive documents.

Conclusion

I hope after reading this post the difference between digital signature and Electronic Signature is clear to you. Both digital signatures and e Signature Online serve to authenticate and approve documents, but they differ in terms of security, technology, and use cases. So whether you are a startup or a big enterprise, you can choose between these two as per the demand of your business. 

In case you have any confusion or you are looking to know more, you can connect with us.