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The security of eIDAS for digital signing

In an age dominated by digital transactions and remote collaboration, the importance of secure and trustworthy methods for digital signing cannot be overstated. The eIDAS regulation, which stands for "Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services", plays a key role in providing a legal framework for electronic transactions within the EU. This article explores the reasons why eIDAS is considered a secure and trustworthy mechanism for digital signing.

What is eIDAS?

eIDAS means "electronic identification, authentication and trust services" and originates from a regulation that took effect in July 2016. The goal of the regulation is to ensure a safe and easy interaction between companies, citizens and public institutions.

Legal recognition and standardization

With eIDAS, standards have therefore been created for the validity of e-signatures and e-identification, which ensures that a digital contract and identification is as valid and legal as a manual or physical contract conclusion is. The eIDAS regulation ensures that all EU countries can accept all electronic documentation and identification from other European member states and therefore also that the member states themselves must establish an electronic documentation and identification method with an associated list of qualified trusted service providers.

eIDAS was recognized by the European Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 as being the general standard for electronic identification and security of electronic transactions.

Three levels of security

eIDAS classifies electronic signatures into three levels of security, each with increasing levels of security:

  • Basic Electronic Signature (BES): Simple electronic signatures that don't require advanced security measures.

  • Advanced Electronic Signature (AES): Includes additional security features that uniquely connect the signature to the signer and ensure its integrity.

  • Qualified Electronic Signature (QES): The highest level that involves a qualified electronic signature creation device and is based on a qualified certificate.

This step-by-step approach allows users to choose the level of security that best suits their specific security requirements.

Use of Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs)

eIDAS promotes the use of Qualified Trust Service Providers entities that meet strict requirements to provide trust services, including issuing qualified certificates for electronic signatures. These providers adhere to high security standards and are subject to regular audits, adding an extra layer of security to the digital signing process.

Advanced cryptographic techniques

Digital signatures under eIDAS rely on advanced cryptographic techniques to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the signed data. Public key cryptography, hash functions and secure key management are integral components of the signature creation process, making it extremely difficult for unauthorized parties to tamper with or forge digital signatures.

Recognition across borders

eIDAS makes it easier to recognize electronic signatures across borders in the EU. This is especially important for businesses and individuals who engage in transactions involving parties from different member states. The regulation ensures that electronic signatures are not only legally valid in the country of origin, but also recognized and accepted across borders, promoting trust in digital transactions.

Continuous technological updates

The digital landscape is dynamic and new cybersecurity threats emerge regularly. eIDAS is designed to evolve with technological advances, allowing for updates and improvements to ensure it remains a robust and secure framework for electronic transactions.

Addo Sign complies with all relevant requirements and technical standards in connection with eIDAS and digital signatures. Digital signatures with Addo Sign meet all technical requirements defined for an eIDAS QES / AES (Qualified e-signatures and Advanced e-signatures) and are therefore as binding as a signature made with pen on paper.

eIDAS has proven to be a cornerstone in establishing a secure and legally recognized environment for digital signatures in the EU. By offering a standardized framework, promoting the use of qualified trust service providers and incorporating advanced cryptographic techniques, eIDAS builds trust in the security and reliability of digital signature processes. As businesses and individuals continue to embrace the digital era, eIDAS stands as a testament to the commitment to secure, trustworthy and legally binding electronic transactions.

You can read more about the eIDAS regulations here: https://www.eid.as/