PandaDoc offers basic, advanced, and qualified eSignatures.
Basic electronic signatures
Basic eSignatures can be a digital scan of a signature, a typed name, a drawn signature using a finger or stylus, or clicking a button or checkbox to confirm consent.
Basic eSignatures are legally binding, but some entities may require a higher level of authenticity.
Advanced electronic signatures
Advanced electronic signatures (AES) are more secure than basic signatures because they have an electronic seal and undergo additional verification through an electronic registered delivery service (ERDS). Under eIDAS, AES must meet the following requirements:
Must be uniquely linked to the signer
Must correctly identify the signer
Must be created with eSignature creation data such as private encryption keys
Must be linked to data in a document in a way that any changes to the document would invalidate the signature
AES uses PKI to meet these requirements.
Qualified electronic signatures
Qualified electronic signatures (QES) meet higher security standards and are validated using encrypted keys and two-factor authentication. A third party must verify the signer’s identity and a qualified electronic signature can be issued.
A QES must meet eIDAS requirements and is considered legally equivalent to a handwritten signature in the EU. This makes QES the most reliable option for signing international documents.