Digital Signature vs. Electronic Signature Software

What’s the difference between electronic signature software and digital signature software?

Organizations have become increasingly confused about their digital signature software options due to the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN). This act officially gives electronic signatures the same legal standing as handwritten ones.

As a result, terms such as digital signature software and electronic signature software are often used interchangeably, even though both technologies are very different. So what is the difference?

Digital signature software vs. electronic signature software

Digital signature software (sometimes referred to as Advanced or Secure Electronic Signatures) is the result of a cryptographic operation. The digital signature software technology guarantees data integrity and non-repudiation of transactions. This ensures that the digital signature cannot be copied, altered, or corrupted.

Electronic signature software contains electronic images that are physically or logically attached to the signed data. Adding a sentence “I, John Doe, sign this document” is good enough to be considered as an electronic signature; however, it is clear that electronic signatures are easy to forge, unlike digital signatures.

CoSign the digital and electronic signature software

The CoSign® digital and electronic signature solution introduces a graphical digital signature software solution that merges both digital technologies and electronic graphical signatures (see illustration).

This combination offers both non-forgeable digital signatures and visual identification of the signer, using his/her visual graphical signature. CoSign provides users with an electronic representation (graphical image) of their handwritten signature which integrates with digital signature software on the electronic document. Both the graphical signature image and the digital signature are secure and easily deployed. The signature can also be validated ensuring the authenticity of the user.