Types of Electronic Signatures: SES, AES, QES Explained

To understand the different types of electronic signatures, it’s important to first differentiate electronic signatures from digital signatures. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are key differences between the two.

Electronic signatures refer to the act of signing or agreeing to a document using electronic means, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet. They encompass a broad range of signing methods, including simple, advanced, and qualified electronic signatures. These signatures serve to authenticate the identity of signatories and secure electronic documents.

On the other hand, digital signatures are a specific type of electronic signature that use encryption to ensure the integrity and authenticity of electronic documents. Digital signatures involve the use of a digital certificate, which is a piece of data that provides assurance and authenticity in electronic form. Digital signatures use public key infrastructure (PKI) to securely sign electronic documents.

While electronic signatures can be as legally binding as handwritten signatures, digital signatures provide an extra layer of security and authentication. Digital signatures offer higher levels of assurance and legal validity, making them suitable for transactions that require a higher level of security.

To put it simply, all digital signatures are considered electronic signatures, while not all electronic signatures hold the power of a digital signature.

Under the eIDAS regulation, which stands for “Electronic Identification, Authentication, and Trust Services,” we recognize three main types of electronic signatures: Simple Electronic Signatures (SES), Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES), and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES).

Let’s take a closer look at each of these types of electronic signatures, their features, and when they are commonly used. Understanding the differences between these types of electronic signatures is essential for choosing the right one for your specific needs and ensuring legal compliance in electronic transactions.

Simple Electronic Signatures (SES) are the most basic form of electronic signatures. Also known as basic electronic signatures, SES include a scanned image of a signature, a typed name, or a simple digital representation of a signature. These signatures are commonly used for a wide range of electronic document signing needs, especially those that are not high-risk or require advanced security measures.

SES are suitable for low-risk transactions, informal agreements, and everyday electronic signing needs. They do not require advanced security features or identity verification, making them convenient for quick and simple signing processes. Imagine signing a document electronically by using a mouse, touchpad, or electronic pen – those are all good examples of a simple electronic signature.

One of the key features of SES is their ability to mimic a handwritten signature on a piece of paper, although in electronic form. While these signatures may not offer the same level of security as advanced or qualified electronic signatures, they still hold legal force, similar to a handwritten signature on a piece of paper. SES are commonly used in various industries, such as retail, healthcare, and legal services, for everyday transactions that do not require advanced security measures or legal compliance.

Advanced Electronic Signatures (AdES) take electronic signatures to a higher level of security, trust, and legal validity. AdES require additional security measures, such as identity verification, to ensure the authenticity of signatories and the integrity of electronic documents.

Unlike simple electronic signatures, AdES use advanced cryptographic techniques to provide higher security and assurance levels. These signatures use public key infrastructure (PKI) to generate a digital certificate, which is a digital identification document that confirms the identity of the signer. The digital certificate is issued by a trusted certificate authority, further enhancing the security and trustworthiness of AdES.

AdES are suitable for transactions that require a higher level of security, legal compliance, and authenticity. They are commonly used in legal, business, and government document signing, where document integrity, signer authenticity, and legal force are crucial. AdES provide a higher degree of trust and authentication, making them ideal for contracts, legal agreements, and sensitive business documents.

By incorporating advanced security measures and trust services, AdES offer a higher level of assurance, authentication, and legal validity compared to simple electronic signatures. The use of identity verification and digital certificates enhances the security of electronic transactions, minimizing the risk of fraud and unauthorized access to electronic documents.

Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) represent the pinnacle of electronic signatures under eIDAS, demanding a qualified trust service provider and a digital certificate. Meeting stringent legal standards, QES hold legal force across the European Union, offering unparalleled security, trust, and authenticity for electronic transactions. They are ideal for high-assurance transactions necessitating peak legal validity. QES sets the highest benchmark in electronic identification and are crucial for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. These signatures play a vital role in upholding the integrity of electronic transactions, both within the EU and globally.

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Characterized by a straightforward signing process, simple electronic signatures (SES) can be generated using a mouse, touchpad, or electronic pen. Their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of electronic documents and transactions, without the need for advanced security features or identity verification. SES is particularly convenient for everyday electronic signing needs, offering a user-friendly approach to e-signing.

Advanced Electronic Signatures (AdES) provide advanced security and authentication features, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of electronic documents. By leveraging public key infrastructure (PKI), AdES offers a higher level of trust and legal validity for electronic transactions. These signatures are particularly well-suited for contracts, legal agreements, and sensitive business documents due to their enhanced security capabilities. The robust features of AdES align with the stringent security requirements of a wide range of electronic transactions, further solidifying their significance in electronic identification and verification processes.

In order to meet specific legal requirements, a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) is provided by a qualified trust service provider, ensuring its legal force. The use of QES requires identity verification, providing higher security and advanced electronic signature assurance under the eIDAS Regulation in the European Union. The process involves a specific signing process, including the use of public keys for authentication.

The legality is supported by the concepts of authenticity, identity, integrity, and authentication. These ensure that electronic signatures are as valid and verifiable as traditional signatures.

• Authenticity: the signature is uniquely linked to an individual
• Identity: confirms that the signatory is a real person
• Integrity: prevents unauthorized changes of the signed document
• Authentication: validates the identity of the signatory

Additionally, electronic identification and ID verification methods, such as video chat, email, and app-based workflows, contribute to the validity and verification of eSignatures. The legal recognition of electronic seals and qualified signatures under the EU eIDAS Regulation further establishes the legitimacy of electronic signatures.

Digital certificates use PKI technology to link the identity of the signatory with the document. Certificates are issued by a certificate authority which ensures the integrity of the electronic document, thereby making sure that the document is legitimate.

E-signatures are a broad term that includes signatures with different levels of security.  These levels range from a name that is simply typed on the document, to qualified electronic signatures demanding proper technology and verification processes.