The only digital signature resource your company needs

– Sign documents with full legal guarantees at the national and international level.

– Manage each signature process with a different type of electronic signature.

– Use any device to sign digitally.

1. What is a digital signature?

A digital signature is a cryptographic mechanism that lets the recipient of a digitally signed document verify the legal and evidentiary validity of the signature. You should be able to:

• Unequivocally identify the signatory, and
• Guarantee that the signed document is the original and that it has not been manipulated or altered since its signing.

As a trust service provider that offers qualified electronic signatures, Docuten establishes the appropriate procedures to guarantee the security of communications, collect evidence every step of the way, register requests and notifications, as well as archive and safeguard all documents as electronic evidence.

2. What types of digital signatures does Docuten offer?

Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions (eIDAS Regulation) outlines different types of electronic signatures, including the advanced electronic signature and the qualified electronic signature.

As a digital signature and e-invoicing platform, the different types of signatures offered by Docuten comply with the European eIDAS Regulation as well as other existing international regulations on electronic signature.

Additionally, after having undergone an audit by an accredited certification body, Docuten has been certified as a Qualified Trust Service Provider in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS).

We offer secure, legally compliant and easy-to-use digital signature solutions.

3. Understanding each type of electronic signature

→ Advanced electronic signatures

According to Article 26 of the eIDAS Regulation, an advanced electronic signature should fulfill certain requirements:

• “it is uniquely linked to the signatory;
• it is capable of identifying the signatory;
• it is created using electronic signature creation data that the signatory can, with a high level of confidence, use under his sole control of it; and
• it is linked to the data signed therewith in such a way that any subsequent change in the data is detectable.”

Docuten has two types of advanced electronic signature. Both comply with the legal requirements established in Article 26:

Biometric signature

A biometric signature is one way to sign documents electronically using a handwritten signature on any mobile device (tablet, smartphone, etc.) with full legal validity.

This type of signature can be done:

• Through the Docuten mobile application, available for Android, iOS and Windows
• Through the Docuten website

The biometric signature has full legal guarantees:

• How is inalterability guaranteed? When the document is sent, the biometric information of the signature is encrypted in the document itself. This ensures inalterability since the document can’t be modified after signing.
• How is the validity of the signature guaranteed? The signature is valid since the biometric data of the signature (speed in x, speed in y, acceleration in x, acceleration in y, angular accelerations, pressure variation / pseudo pressure, number of strokes, order of strokes, trace durations, etc.) is securely stored in the signed document.

Along with the biometric information, the device also stores the date and time the signature was made, as well as any additional data from the device used. Plus, Docuten offers a forensic verification tool that can be used by a handwriting expert in the case of any legal disputes.

This type of signature is most often used when a document needs to be signed on a specific device and in person (for example, in sales).

Do you want to know more information?

Signature with OTP

A signature with OTP (One-Time Password) is a digital signature done by sending the signatory a single-use OTP with temporary validity via SMS or email.

This type of digital signature has a number of benefits:

• It complies with all established legal requirements.
• It is easy to use.
• You can sign with an OTP from any device (web, mobile or tablet) without having to install the mobile app.
• It does not require having a certificate for digital signature installed on the device.

This type of electronic signature is often used to sign labor-related documentation, especially when employees are geographically dispersed.

→ Qualified electronic signatures

A qualified electronic signature provides the highest level of security. However, since it requires using a qualified certificate issued by an audited certification service provider, this type of signature can be less practical for certain uses. A qualified certificate for digital signature can be hosted centrally, or locally on site (meaning, on the signatory’s own computer). 

Albeit sometimes less convenient, this type of electronic signature provides greater security since legally it is on par with a handwritten signature.

4. Digital signature use cases

It is often thought that HR departments are the only business areas that can benefit from digital signature tools. False! Company-wide use of document signing software can streamline internal processes and increase productivity across departments.

As a qualified electronic signature provider, our experience and knowledge enables us to offer our clients the most suitable digital signature solutions for their needs.

How can digital signing software help your company?

Docuten enables you to use different types of signatures for different use cases. Our services are tailored to the specific needs of each department or signature process.

Different types of signatures for different needs and departments means one company can use our service in a variety of different ways. For example, you can rely on signature with OTP to sign employee agreements and client mandates remotely. This is especially useful when hiring or doing business overseas.  Then, when registering clients or signing commercial contracts in person on site, you can use a biometric signature. Finally, for more security with high-stakes contracts or building projects, your team can rely on a qualified electronic signature with a local certificate on site. All of this can be done through Docuten.

Instead of wasting company resources on managing tedious administrative processes, invest in one provider to resolve all your document signing needs. Our services are easy to implement, manage and use, and will save you time and money.

To find out more about what a qualified electronic signature provider like Docuten can do for your business, contact our team today.

Interested in whether or not an electronic signature is legally binding in the UK?

Check out our blog post on the eIDAS Regulation & Brexit