Why Digital Signatures Trump E-Signatures Every Time

Signing documents has evolved far beyond the realm of pen and paper. In today's digital age, electronic signatures (e-signatures) and digital signatures have transformed the way we agree, offering enhanced flexibility and efficiency. While e-signatures have their merits, there are crucial distinctions between them and digital signatures that every document signer should be aware of.

Understanding the Basics

Before we delve into the key differences between digital signatures and e-signatures, let's establish a clear understanding of each.

Basic e-signatures represent a person's signature in an electronic format. These signatures can be created using various methods, such as clicking a button, typing your name, drawing your signature on a touchscreen, or utilizing a scanned image of your handwritten signature. E-signatures have gained popularity due to their convenience and speed in completing document transactions, making them a prevalent choice for individuals and businesses alike.

On the other hand, digital signatures offer a higher level of security and authenticity compared to basic e-signatures. They involve a cryptographic process that guarantees the document's integrity and the identity of the signer. Digital signatures utilize a unique private key associated with the signer, adding an extra layer of security to the signature. This cryptographic process creates a digital fingerprint within the document, making it virtually tamper-proof.

Digital signatures may sound superior on paper, but why does this distinction truly matter?

Let's illustrate with 2 scenarios.

Scenario 1: E-Signatures with Ease

Imagine you work for a reputable financial institution and need to process a high-value loan application.

First, you electronically generate the necessary loan agreement documents, ensuring compatibility with the e-signature platform you intend to use. Using the e-signature platform, you upload the documents, add signature tags where needed, and send them to your applicant and co-signers. Your signers receive a link to the documents via email, click "Sign Now," and are redirected to the platform's interface. After signing, the e-signature platform timestamps the signatures, usually with the clock on the PC,  and distributes copies to all parties. Sounds straightforward, right?

However, if your applicant disputes their signature or claims they didn't agree to a specific page, proving what happened becomes challenging. Since you used an e-signature platform, the evidence required to validate or invalidate the documents isn't immediately accessible. You must contact your e-signature provider to obtain whatever legal evidence showing specific details, potentially including:

• The IP address from which the signatures were made
• The time for each signature
• The associated email address used
• The associated phone number used for sending a one time password via text

This process might not seem overly burdensome, but the handling of the request for legal evidence by your e-signature provider is uncertain. They could impose additional charges, the process could be protracted and cumbersome, and you may not even be certain of the evidence they can provide.

To compound matters, imagine if your e-signature provider goes out of business or gets acquired by a competitor. The legal evidence supporting the validity of every document signed using the e-signature platform isn't under your control. In such a scenario, how would you prove or disprove a client's claim about a specific contract, especially if it happened a decade after the document was signed?

E-signatures, while generally convenient, entail deeper vulnerabilities that might not be apparent when simply clicking to sign.

Scenario 2: Digital Signatures Built Different

Now, let's flip the script. You digitally generate the necessary loan agreement documents.  Using a digital signature platform, you prepare the documents, add signature tags where needed, and send a link to your applicant and co-signers. Your signers receive a link to the documents via email, click "Sign Now," and are redirected to the platform's interface. The signers verify their identities and digitally sign the documents using their private keys. After signing, the platform secures the documents and every signature with tamper-evident seals and sends the signed documents back to all participants in the transaction.

While the process of using a digital signature platform may seem similar to an e-signature platform, the difference lies in the details.

Similar to scenario 1, if your signer disputes their signature or disagrees with a specific page, how would you know what transpired?

When you employ digital signatures, the comprehensive legal evidence substantiating the validity of every signature is embedded directly within the document itself and any changes are immediately evident. Instead of relying on your vendor to provide this evidence, you have it readily available with the click of a button. Digital signatures grant you complete ownership and control of your documents and eliminate dependence on vendors. Even if your digital signature vendor changes, you retain full access to your documents, signatures, and the legal proof to support your documents.

Now that we've explored real-world scenarios, the extensive technical features of digital signatures should resonate more profoundly.

Digital Signature Differentiation

Enhanced Security:

Digital signatures employ encryption technology to secure the document and verify the signer's identity. This level of security is crucial for sensitive documents and transactions, assuring that the document remains unaltered after signing.

Legal Validity:

Many countries and industries have specific laws and regulations mandating digital signatures. Using digital signatures ensures compliance with these regulations, mitigating potential legal issues.

Non-Repudiation:

Digital signatures are synonymous with non-repudiation, meaning the signer cannot deny the authenticity of their signature. This aspect is pivotal in legal disputes or when the document's validity is questioned.

Long-Term Validity:

Digital signatures are designed for longevity. They can be easily verified even years after the document was signed, ensuring the integrity of archived records.

Legal Framework Supporting Digital Signatures

Several laws and regulations at both national and international levels endorse or mandate the use of digital signatures over basic e-signatures. Here are a few notable examples:

Healthcare Regulations (HHS): The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed standards requiring digital signatures for the healthcare industry.

EU Standards (eIDAS): Legal preference in the EU, and eIDAS has become the sliding example for e-signature laws across various parts of the world. They offer legal preference or, in some cases, a requirement for digital signatures.

Life Sciences: The life sciences industry often mandates digital signatures for specific use cases, underscoring its commitment to data integrity and security.

Courts and Regulators: The legal landscape is evolving, demanding a higher level of legal certainty. This evolution naturally lends itself to the adoption of digital signatures.

While e-signatures have their place, individuals working in highly regulated industries should be mindful of the fundamental differences between them and digital signatures. The enhanced security, paramount legal validity, and non-repudiation offered by digital signatures make them the superior choice for many critical document signing scenarios. Furthermore, compliance with specific laws and regulations emphasizes the importance of selecting digital signatures over basic e-signatures when required or recommended. By transitioning to digital signatures, individuals can ensure the integrity and authenticity of their documents while complying with the ever-evolving legal landscape of the digital age.

The future of digital signatures looks promising. Momentum is building behind their adoption, driven by industries such as healthcare and life sciences and the growing legal preference. As regulations become more stringent and identity fraud increases, digital signatures are poised to become the standard.