Summary

In general, a signature is a way to authorize a document or transaction. Laserfiche offers two types of signatures: electronic and digital signatures. This article will describe the differences between these two types of signatures and how they can be applied using the Laserfiche app.

Electronic Signature

An electronic signature refers to the acknowledgement or adoption of an electronic message, transaction, or document. For example:

• A typed name at the end of an email
• ATM
• A typed name on an electronic form or document
• An image of a handwritten signature on a transmitted fax
• A personal identification number (PIN) entered into a bank ATM
• Clicking "agree" or "disagree" on an electronic "terms and agreements" contract
• A handwritten but digitally captured signature made on a touch device, such as a tablet or smartphone (sometimes referred to as a "dynamic signature")

In the Laserfiche app, you can electronically sign a newly created document using your finger or stylus, or by typing your name and choosing a certain style for it. For more information, see the documentation for electronically signing documents using the Laserfiche app.

Digital Signature

A digital signature, sometimes referred to as a cryptographic signature, is considered the most "secure" type of electronic signature. It includes a certificate of authority, such as a Windows certificate, to ensure the validity of the signatory (the signature's author and owner). The parties on either side of a digital signature can also detect whether the signed document was altered or changed in any way that would invalidate it. In addition, electronic messages are signed with the sender's private decryption key and verified by anyone who can access the sender's public encryption key; this further ensures that both parties are who they say they are and that the content of the message has not been changed or intercepted. For instance, a manager might use a digital signature to indicate they have approved a document; validating the digital signature would verify that it is indeed that person who approved the document, and that the document has not been further modified since its approval. Alternately, a user might sign documents after importing them to indicate the import process is complete and all relevant information has been included, and that signature could be validated to see whether changes have been made to the document since its import. Most types of electronic signatures do not have the security features of true digital signatures. Digital signatures can be used in a variety of ways.

In the Laserfiche app, you can digitally sign an existing repository document. For more information, see the documentation for digitally signing documents using the Laserfiche app.