Electronic signatures
Electronic signatures
Definition
Electronic signature is a set of electronic data accompanying or associated with an electronic document and the basic functions of which are:
- Identify the signatory unequivocally
- Ensure the integrity of the signed document
He assures that the signed document is exactly the same as the original and that it has not been altered or tampered with.
- Ensure that the signatory cannot repudiate the signed
The data used by the signatory to make the signature are unique and exclusive and, therefore, subsequently, he cannot say that he has not signed the document.
The legal basis of the Electronic Signature is contained in Law 59/2003 on Electronic Signature and is further developed in the section Legal basis of signatures. The section also explores, under what circumstances the law equates electronic signatures to handwritten signatures, adds notes to European regulations and makes different legal references to time-stamped and advanced signatures.
The Electronic Certificate, the basis of the electronic signature
A digital certificate or an electronic ID is required to sign a document.
The electronic certificate or the electronic ID card contains cryptographic keys that are the necessary elements to sign. Electronic certificates aim to unequivocally identify your holder and are issued by Certification Service Providers.
Learn more about certificates in the section Electronic Certificates.
The Basic Electronic Signature Process
The electronic signature is the resulting electronic file or document. This is the document that is valid for legal purposes and the one that you must keep. Any printing or graphic representation made of it is valid only in terms determined by the recipient of the signature. In general, in this case, the printed signature will contain a CSV or Safe Verification Code that allows the printed copy to be contrasted with the electronic original.
How do I sign a document?
Some of the questions that may arise in the previous process are:
- What tool should I use to sign?
- Do I need to install something on my computer?
- And when I sign an online form, should I install something or my browser already does everything automatically?
- How do I use electronic ID from my computer? How do I install the ID reader?
As we are talking about electronic signatures, the signature must be made by electronic means and you can do it in two ways:
- Downloading an application on your PC:
In this case you use to sign the application you install on your computer and do not need to be connected to the internet. The application to use is Self-Signature, from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation. You can see more information about it and download it in the section Signature applications.
- Sign directly on the internet:
This option is mainly used when signing forms or applications, for example in relation to the Public Administration. But you can also sign your own documents on the Internet using the service offered by KOHe. To sign, a component that works on the same browser must be downloaded.
In both cases you need an electronic certificate. In the section Browsers and Computer you can find directions on how to install your certificate. And on the page of DNIe Electronic You will find a section on the installation of the DNIe reader and its use.
What practical use does electronic signatures have?
It provides three features in online communication: signatory identification, data integrity and non-repudiation.
But apart from that, the practical applications of it are many and varied.
In general, they are oriented to perform Internet operations that in everyday life require a firm to validate them.
Examples of operations that can now be carried out using the digital signature are:
- Implementation of the Online Declaration of Income
- Applications in electronic administrative registers
- Request for working life
- Receipt of electronic notifications
- Signature of emails
- Electronic invoice signing
How can I check a signed document?
If we receive a signed document, we are interested in validating the signature, that is, checking that the signed data correspond to the originals, that the certificate with which it has been signed is valid and that the structure of the file is correct.
How do we know if a signature is valid?
We can check the validity of the signature of a document, see who is the signatory and the document signed in KOHe.