Autentique supports advanced and qualified signatures, both establish different levels of security.
It is ensured that the standards established by eIDAS (EU Regulation No. 910/2014) and the U.S. eSignature Act (ESIGN Act) are respected, while also incorporating key elements from Brazil's Law No. 14,063/2020 for ICP-Brasil compliance. See their characteristics below:
Advanced signature
An advanced electronic signature ensures a higher level of security by verifying the identity of the signer and ensuring the document's integrity. It is widely used for private agreements and contracts. However, each country may have their own view of what an advanced signature might be.
Signer Authentication: The signer's identity is verified using methods like SMS codes, biometrics, or email validation.
Document Integrity: A unique cryptographic hash is generated for the document. This hash guarantees that the document has not been altered after it was signed.
Traceability: All actions, such as viewing and signing the document, are logged for auditing purposes, ensuring full traceability.
No Digital Certificate Required: Unlike qualified signatures, advanced signatures do not require a digital certificate from ICP-Brasil, making them more accessible while still legally valid for many use cases.
This type of signature is ideal for contracts, agreements, and documents that require a balance between security and convenience as long as all parties agree.
Qualified Signature
A qualified electronic signature is the highest level of security and legal validity for electronic signatures. It is designed to meet stringent legal requirements and is often used in cases where compliance and authentication are critical.
How it Works:
Digital Certificate:
Requires a Qualified Certificate issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP)
In Brazil, these certificates are issued under the ICP-Brasil framework.
Identity Verification:
The signer must authenticate their identity using the digital certificate.
This ensures that the signature is uniquely linked to the signer and cannot be falsified.
Legal Validity:
Qualified signatures have the same legal validity as handwritten signatures.
They are mandatory for certain high-security documents, such as property transfers, government contracts, and regulatory acts.
Document Integrity:
The signature is embedded with a cryptographic hash, ensuring the document cannot be altered without invalidating the signature.
Audit Trail:
Every action is logged, and the signature is linked to an official audit process for compliance purposes.
When to Use a Qualified Signature:
Real estate transactions, such as property sales or transfers.
Official contracts with government agencies.
Financial agreements requiring high security.
Compliance-driven industries, such as healthcare or banking.
Qualified signatures provide the highest level of trust and are essential for documents where security and legal certainty are non-negotiable.
How to Choose the Signature Type on Autentique
How to Choose the Signature Type on Autentique
In Autentique, the advanced signature is automatically configured for new documents, without requiring a digital certificate.
If you need to use the qualified electronic signature, simply activate the Qualified Electronic Signature toggle on the document creation screen:
Important: All signers must have valid digital certificates issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) in their country of origin. Without the certificate, the signature cannot be completed.