Electronic signature
Electronic signature is often used as a synonym for digital signature
Note, however, there are significant differences. Electronic is not the same as digital. Electronic signature is a legal definition for various, not necessarily cryptographic, methods of confirming the identity of someone sending an electronic message.
This includes not only a digital signature, but also, for example, telegram and telex addresses and a written signature on a faxed document. With a digital signature, on the other hand, the entire handling - the authentication, identification and integrity - takes place completely digitally through certain algorithms.
An example of an electronic signature is the old Inland Revenue form, on which 5 random digits had to be entered, a normal signature had to be added and then sent. This electronic signature is no longer used and has been succeeded by the DigiD.
The term "electronic signature" is often mistakenly used as a synonym for digital signature. Every digital signature is an electronic signature, but not every electronic signature is a digital signature.
There are 3 types of digital signatures in the Netherlands. The ordinary digital signature, the advanced and the qualified digital signature. When using an advanced digital signature, it usually has the same legal value as wet written signatures. For example, when you want to digitally sign employment contracts, a qualified digital signature is necessary.
