A qualified certificate is an advanced digital tool used to verify qualified electronic signatures or qualified electronic seals. For qualified signatures, it enables the identification of the person signing electronic documents and confirms the integrity of the signed document. It guarantees that the digital signature was made by a specific individual, which is essential in legal, business, and administrative processes.
For a qualified electronic seal, it identifies the entity (a legal person, such as a company) that applied the seal to the document. At the same time, it ensures that the document’s content has not been altered after it was sealed.
A qualified certificate is issued by trusted entities that hold the necessary accreditations and authorizations.
Qualified signature vs. qualified certificate
The terms qualified certificate and qualified signature are often used interchangeably. While this simplifies communication, it is important to distinguish between the two concepts.
A qualified signature is verified using a qualified certificate and contains identifying information about its owner, as well as data (a public key) used to verify the electronic signature. Before issuing a qualified certificate, a process is conducted to verify the identity of the person to whom the certificate will be assigned.
A qualified certificate is always associated with a specific natural person. A qualified electronic signature based on a qualified certificate is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.
How does a qualified certificate work?
A qualified certificate is a specific type of digital certificate based on public key infrastructure (PKI), a sophisticated cryptographic system that facilitates the secure management and distribution of keys required for data encryption and identity verification in a digital environment. PKI technology is widely used in areas such as remote user authentication, online services, protecting confidential information, and creating legally binding tools like electronic signatures and electronic seals.
A qualified certificate, as part of PKI, ensures the highest level of trust and security in digital transactions, enabling full compliance with legal regulations and supporting the digital transformation of business processes.
Qualified certificates are issued by accredited trusted service providers. They function by assigning unique data to the certificate owner, allowing for secure authentication of signatures on electronic documents. This ensures the integrity of the document, confirms the identity of the signer, and provides legal assurance in digital transactions.
SIGNIUS services – secure and modern solutions
At SIGNIUS, we specialize in providing cutting-edge solutions for remote document signing and sealing, including electronic signatures and electronic seals. One of our flagship services is the SIGNIUS Professional platform – a comprehensive tool designed for online signing of documents with qualified and advanced electronic signatures, as well as remote identity verification.
SIGNIUS Professional makes it simple and secure to sign electronic documents from anywhere in the world. The service enables users to remotely and instantly obtain and apply qualified signatures, which is particularly important in today’s digitalized and remote working environment.
By using SIGNIUS Professional, users can fully automate the document signing process, resulting in significant time savings and reduced operational costs.
Benefits of using SIGNIUS professional
SIGNIUS Professional offers numerous advantages, making it an ideal solution for companies and institutions seeking to streamline their business processes related to documentation:
- Security – SIGNIUS employs advanced cryptographic technologies to ensure the highest level of data protection and document integrity.
- Flexibility – Users can sign documents from anywhere, at any time, which is particularly valuable in the era of remote work.
- Speed and Efficiency – Automated signing processes significantly reduce the time required to finalize documents.
- Regulatory Compliance – The service is fully compliant with European regulations on electronic signatures (eIDAS), ensuring full legal acceptance of signed documents.
Why choose SIGNIUS?
By choosing SIGNIUS services, you invest in the future of your business. We offer modern, reliable, and secure tools that not only simplify everyday tasks but also enhance security and legal compliance. With SIGNIUS Professional, you can manage your documents efficiently, quickly, and securely. Explore our range of solutions that are invaluable for everyday business operations:
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