Electronic signatures are increasingly being used to authenticate and protect documents online. But did you know that there are different levels of security for electronic signatures? According to the eIDAS regulation, there are three types of electronic signatures: simple, advanced and qualified. Each type offers a different degree of reliability and safety. In this article, we will look at simple electronic signatures and explain how HSM OpenPGP can make them more secure.
Electronic Signature from HSM OpenPGP
Simple Electronic Signatures
A simple electronic signature is the most basic form of electronic signature. It has no specific criteria defined by the eIDAS regulation. It is based solely on the express or implied consent of the author of the document. For example, a simple click on an “I agree” button or entering a name in a form field can be considered a simple electronic signature.
Simple electronic signatures are used for documents that do not require increased security, such as newsletters, surveys or contact forms. They have limited legal value, as they do not guarantee the identity of the signer or the integrity of the document.
Simple electronic signatures present several risks for data security. First of all, they are easy to forge or usurp. It is enough to know the name or email address of the signer to be able to sign in his place. Then, they are vulnerable to computer attacks. A hacker can intercept, modify or delete the signed document without the signer or the recipient noticing. Finally, they are difficult to verify. There is no simple and reliable way to prove the authenticity and validity of a simple electronic signature.
Il is a tool that allows you to sign your electronic documents in compliance with the eIDAS regulation. HSM OpenPGP offers you several advantages to enhance the security of your simple electronic signatures:
HSM OpenPGP uses an asymmetric cryptography system to protect your data. Each signer has a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is used to verify the signature, while the private key is used to sign the document. The private key is stored in a secure digital vault and is only accessible to the signer. HSM OpenPGP generates a timestamp for each signed document. The timestamp is an indelible proof of the date and time of the signature. It ensures the integrity of the document and prevents tampering or repudiation. HSM OpenPGP allows you to choose the level of security of your electronic signature according to your needs. You can opt for a simple, advanced or qualified electronic signature. Each level offers additional guarantees on the identity of the signer and the validity of the document. It is therefore a tool that allows you to sign your electronic documents with confidence and compliance. If you want to learn more about HSM OpenPGP and its features, feel free to visit our website or contact us.
Advanced Electronic Signatures
Electronic signatures are increasingly used to authenticate and protect online documents. But not all electronic signatures are equal. According to the eIDAS regulation, there are three types of electronic signatures: simple, advanced and qualified. Each type offers a different level of reliability and security. In this article, we will focus on advanced electronic signatures and explain how HSM OpenPGP can make them safer.
An advanced electronic signature is a form of electronic signature that offers a higher level of security than a simple electronic signature. It is based on a digital certificate issued by a trusted third party, called a qualified trust service provider (QTSP). This certificate allows to authenticate the identity of the signer and to ensure the integrity of the signed document. To be considered as an advanced electronic signature, the signature must meet several criteria defined by the eIDAS regulation. It must be:
- Uniquely linked to the signer;
- Capable of identifying the signer;
- Created using signature creation data that the signer can use under his exclusive control;
- Linked to the signed data in such a way that any subsequent modification of the data is detectable.
Advanced electronic signatures are used for documents that require increased security, such as contracts, invoices or tax declarations. They have a stronger legal value than simple electronic signatures, because they can prove the origin and integrity of the document.
It is an encryption key management application that provides unparalleled security and privacy to users. It is compatible with all messaging services and offers end-to-end encrypted instant messaging via segmented key authentication SMS. It also has a file encryption and data signing system with signature self-verification.
- eIDAS compliance: By using HSM OpenPGP for advanced electronic signatures, you can be sure that your signatures meet the requirements of the eIDAS (Electronic IDentification, Authentication and Trust Services) regulation, which was established in July 2016 to define the criteria for an electronic signature process within the European Union.
- Timestamp of signed documents: HSM OpenPGP generated a timestamp for each signed document. The timestamp is indelible proof of the date and time of the signature. It ensures the integrity of the document and prevents falsification or repudiation.
- Choice of security level: HSM OpenPGP also allows you to choose the level of security of your electronic signature according to your needs.
- Advanced features for data security and privacy: In addition to meeting eIDAS requirements for advanced electronic signatures, HSM OpenPGP also offers other data security and privacy benefits. For example, it allows you to generate, store, and use all types of symmetric and asymmetric keys offline for Open PGP encryption algorithms. The user can freely choose the algorithm he wants to use from AES 128 192 256 or RSA 2048 3072 4096 Open PGP. They can also import or export existing keys for storage, management, sharing, or use with HSM OpenPGP.
By using HSM OpenPGP for advanced electronic signatures, you not only benefit from a high level of reliability and security in accordance with the eIDAS regulation, but also additional protection for your data thanks to the advanced features offered by HSM OpenPGP.
Compliance with eIDAS Regulation
It is an innovative application for managing encryption keys and signing files. Although HSM OpenPGP offers an interesting approach to electronic signatures, it is important to note that its approach differs from the requirements for a qualified electronic signature under the eIDAS regulation.
The eIDAS Regulation (No 910/2014) was adopted on 23 July 2014 by the European Parliament and the European Union Council. It aims to strengthen trust in electronic transactions within the internal market by establishing a common foundation for secure electronic interactions between citizens, businesses and public authorities. According to this regulation, a qualified electronic signature must be created using a secure signature creation device (DSC) that ensures that the signature creation data is under the exclusive control of the signatory. It must also be based on a qualified electronic signature certificate that attests to the identity of the signatory and is issued by a qualified trust service provider (PSC) meeting applicable technical and regulatory requirements. Finally, it must allow the signatory to be identified and any subsequent changes to the signed data to be detected.
To learn more about the eIDAS Regulation, you can visit the EUR-Lex website at the following address:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32014R0910
HSM OpenPGP does not generate a qualified electronic signature within the meaning of the eIDAS Regulation because its approach does not rely on the use of a secure signature creation device (DSC) or a qualified certificate for electronic signatures issued by a qualified trust service provider (PSC).
However, It’s offers an innovative approach in the field of file signing and data encryption. HSM OpenPGP allows the signatory to generate, store and share their own public key and signature hash without relying on an external trusted third party. HSM OpenPGP uses technology patented by Freemindtronic on segmented key authentication to provide users with an unparalleled level of security and privacy. HSM OpenPGP also allows you to choose the level of security for your electronic signature based on your needs.
In short, although HSM OpenPGP does not generate a qualified electronic signature within the meaning of the eIDAS Regulation, it offers an innovative approach to simple and advanced electronic signatures with a high level of security and privacy.
According to the eIDAS Regulation, an advanced electronic signature must meet the following criteria:
- It is uniquely linked to the signatory.
- It allows the signatory to be identified.
- It is created using data that the signatory can use under their exclusive control.
- It is linked to the data to which it relates in such a way that any subsequent changes to the data can be detected.
It is appears to meet these criteria by allowing the signatory to generate their own private key using an application on their phone. The private key is encrypted and stored in the keychain (Apple) or key store (Android) and is only accessible to the signatory. The signatory creates their signature in .asc format from their private key after authenticating by entering at least one key or two or three. The signatory then sends the signature and their public key to the recipient so that they can verify that the file has not been corrupted.
By using HSM OpenPGP for advanced electronic signatures, you not only benefit from a high level of reliability and security in accordance with the eIDAS Regulation, but also additional protection for your data thanks to HSM OpenPGP’s advanced features. For example, it has a file encryption system and data signing with self-verification of signatures. The user can freely choose which algorithm they want to use among AES 128 192 256 or RSA 2048 3072 4096 Open PGP. They can also import or export existing keys for storage, management, sharing or use with HSM OpenPGP.
In conclusion, although HSM OpenPGP does not generate a qualified electronic signature within the meaning of the eIDAS Regulation, it offers an innovative approach to simple and advanced electronic signatures with a high level of security and privacy. It is appears to meet the criteria for an advanced electronic signature by allowing the signatory to generate their own private key using an application on their phone and providing users with an unparalleled level of security and privacy thanks to its patented technology. By using HSM OpenPGPfor advanced electronic signatures, you not only benefit from a high level of reliability and security in accordance with the eIDAS Regulation, but also additional protection for your data thanks to HSM OpenPGP’s advanced features. For example, it has a file encryption system and data signing with self-verification of signatures. The user can freely choose which algorithm they want to use among AES 128 192 256 or RSA 2048 3072 4096 Open PGP. They can also import or export existing keys for storage, management, sharing or use with HSM OpenPGP.