At Viafirma, we specialise in the various types of electronic signatures and their variants. We ensure that every signed document is legally valid, and to this end we comply with the EU’s eIDAS Regulation, which applies to the rest of the world and has become the most stringent global standard for trust services.

Depending on the circumstances you find yourself in, you will need to choose one option or another. We outline the different types of signature available and how they are applied using mobile devices.

The 3 types of electronic signature according to the eIDAS Regulation

The EU’s eIDAS Regulation establishes a clear classification based on three levels of security. It is worth noting that, although they have different levels of security, all three types are perfectly legal:

Simple electronic signature

This has a lower level of security, as the user signs using data appended to other electronic data or logically associated with it (by including it in the same document), which is then used for signing.

• Example: Writing your name or embedding a scanned image of your signature at the end of a PDF file.
• Legal consideration: As your name and signature appear within the document, it is logically assumed that you have included them yourself, but there is no evidence to support this assumption (anyone can edit a text document or PDF, making it easy to carry out scams).
• For legal purposes, it is admissible as evidence in court, although it may need to be supplemented by other evidence.

Advanced electronic signature

It is uniquely linked to the signatory and enables them to be identified. It has been created using data that can be relied upon with a high level of confidence and is under the signatory’s exclusive control. It ensures that any subsequent alterations are detectable. It guarantees the signatory’s identity and the integrity of the data, thereby offering greater legal safeguards.

It must meet a series of requirements to be considered an advanced electronic signature:

• Be uniquely linked to the signatory
• Enable the signatory to be clearly identified
• Have been created using data under the signatory’s exclusive control with a high level of confidence
• Be linked to the document in such a way that any subsequent modification is detectable

Example: A signature based on an OTP (One-Time Password). This security system sends a single-use code to your mobile phone to authenticate and sign a document online. As only you receive the code on your phone and the document is then secured (it cannot be edited afterwards), it is understood that this signature is linked to you personally.

Qualified electronic signature

A qualified electronic signature is created using a qualified electronic signature creation device and is based on a qualified certificate. It has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.

Example: The signature offered by your bank when signing a mortgage on a specialised tablet. This device is considered secure and captures a series of biometric elements that no one else can reproduce, only you: the date, time and pressure of your signature.

Types of mobile electronic signature

Nowadays, signing on mobile devices is an essential driver of business mobility, transforming the way business is conducted thanks to the savings in time and money. Depending on how identity is managed on the smartphone, we distinguish between three types:

• Electronic signature without a certificate: The ideal option when the signatory does not have a digital certificate. To achieve the level of an advanced digital signature, Viafirma’s solutions collect alternative and robust electronic evidence, such as sending an OTP via SMS, ensuring that the signatory can be authenticated and that both access to the request and the SMS code are under their sole control.
• Electronic signature with a non-qualified certificate: The digital certificate itself contains the signatory’s identification details. Access to the request and the certificate is under their control, and the document, together with other evidence, makes it possible to determine whether any subsequent modifications have been made. Although it has not undergone the certification process required to be considered qualified, it offers high levels of technical and legal security and need not differ in any way in terms of security.
• Electronic signature with a qualified certificate: This is carried out using physical cryptographic devices that do not allow downloading, or via centralised (cloud-based) signing systems. By using the latter method, we obtain a qualified electronic signature, offering the highest possible level of trust.

IMPORTANT: Viafirma’s solutions allow users to use their certificate on any device whenever required, as it is stored in an ultra-secure cloud that they can access from anywhere.

6 types of digital signature according to the automation process

Depending on how the document is formalised within the company’s operations, Viafirma’s digital solutions support different digital signature workflows:

• Unattended signature: A 100% automated process that requires no human intervention. The signature is generated automatically once certain pre-agreed conditions are met (ideal for bulk document dispatch).
• Smart Contracts: Based on the unattended signature, smart contracts are executed autonomously. For example, a contract is signed automatically when goods arrive at their logistics destination.
• Attended signature: A traditional method in which the parties involved are physically present (at a counter or point of sale) or connected remotely in real time to complete the process.
• Batch signing: Allows a user to sign dozens of documents in a single operation. The user enters their credentials just once and all included documents are processed. Widely used by executives who need to manage large volumes of documentation.
• Multi-signature: A single document requires signatures from several people. This procedure is common in agreements involving multiple parties.
• Batch multi-signature: Combines multi-signature and batch signing; applicable when several parties must jointly sign multiple documents and annexes simultaneously.