Digital signatures rely on a public key infrastructure (PKI) to enable creation and verification. This makes it virtually impossible for anybody to change a contract or deny that they signed it. In short, digital signature software creates a unique copy of the document that is linked to you. The basic concept is relatively straightforward. If that sounds like a mouthful, don’t worry. What is a digital signature?Ī digital signature, on the other hand, is a highly-secure form of approval that relies on technology like secure keys, encryption, and hashing algorithms. A tool like PandaDoc, for example, automatically generates a certificate (with the date and time) whenever a document is signed, which makes it more difficult for the signer to refute their approval later on. Some electronic signatures are more secure than others. Even though they’re not as secure as their digital counterparts, electronic signatures are still fully legally binding. If you receive a contract in Microsoft Word and upload a photograph of your handwritten signature (or a generic image file with some scribbled text), then you’ve electronically signed it. What is an electronic signature?Īn electronic signature is any digital mark that is included in a document. And understanding what separates the two is essential for determining which one is appropriate for a particular document. While there are a few similarities, they’re more different than they are alike. People often confuse digital signatures with electronic signatures. Do you need a digital signature or an electronic signature? We’ll cover definitions, explain technical infrastructure, and give you a step-by-step guide for securely approving those crucial documents.

In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know. Important business documents like contracts, proposals, invoices, and others are most commonly shared as PDFs. In other situations, they’re essential for guaranteeing non-repudiation and eliminating the possibility of tampering. Some countries, like the United States, require digital signatures in certain circumstances. Digital signatures are the most secure document approval option available to companies.

How to insert signature in pdf