Different types of Electronic Signatures

Created2021-04-14

Update2022-02-01

Fromcloudplan

There are the following 3 different types of singnatures, all of which are offered by cloudplan:

Simple Electronic Signature (EES)

This is the most commonly used variant. It is not complex and easy to use. There are few barriers to the signatory.

The signatory can sign electronically in the form of a graphic signature on the screen or by entering his name in text form in accordance with Section 127 (3) BGB.

cloudplan offers various options for signing: Using the mouse on the screen, by hand on the mobile phone, in text form or by uploading a signature graphic.

Security features:

Identification by email
Mathematical hash formation of the document content and sending to participants in the workflow for later integrity checking. Log with timestamps of every change to the document up to completion Storage of the IP address of the signatory
Log with timestamps of every change to the document up to completion
Storage of the IP address of the signatory

Use cases

Various types of contracts included

Purchase contract
Orders
Employment contract
Rental agreement (e.g. an apartment)
Logs
NDA

Advanced Electronic Signature (FES)

An AES is uniquely assigned to a signer and enables the signatory to be identified. The prerequisite is the use of a certificate.

The AES and the QES are cryptographically protected and based on digital signatures. If the content of the document is changed after the signature, the digital signature automatically becomes invalid. Technically, a mathematical “hash value” is formed over the content of the signature and thus the signature is formed. A change would change the hash and the digital signature is invalid.

Security Features

Identification and signature by digital certificate
Automated checking of the signature validity with common software such as Acrobat Reader
Mathematical hash formation of the document content and sending to participants in the workflow for later integrity checking.
Log with timestamps of every change to the document up to completion
Storage of the IP address of the signatory

Use cases

Various types of contracts included

Purchase contract
Orders
Employment contract
Rental agreement (e.g. an apartment)
Logs
NDA

Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)

A QES is an AES that meets additional requirements. A qualified certificate is required and special requirements are placed on the hardware and software.

Security features

Legally corresponding to a handwritten signature (Switzerland and EU law)
Identification and signature via digital qualified certificate Management of the signatures by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP)
Automated checking of the signature validity with common software such as Acrobat Reader
Mathematical hash formation of the document content and sending to participants in the workflow for later integrity checking.
Log with timestamps of every change to the document up to completion
Storage of the IP address of the signatory

Use cases