The 4 most frequently asked questions about the Biometric Signature

The Biometric Signatures or electronic handwritten signatures that we make on graphic tablets are gaining a foothold in the day-to-day of companies. They help to harmonize business processes between online and offline, providing the user with a user experience similar to the traditional signature on paper, but adding all the advantages that data digitization provides. Here we share with you the 4 most frequent questions about the Biometric Signature:

The main distinctive feature of the Biometric Signature is that it includes instant graphic information through a device that links said data to the document and the signer. This information is encrypted, so that it’s protected against possible manipulation, thus providing extreme security that prevents counterfeiting attempts. It provides participants with maximum security and control over documents digitally created from the source, negotiated and stored in the digital domain.

Biometrics guarantees the authenticity of the user when he interacts with a capture device: fingerprint reader, iris reader, key register, signature register, etc., since they are unique distinctive characteristics in each person.

Simple Signature: You do not need a stroke as such, but only one click is enough to show the conformity of the information. This is the simplest type of electronic signature for the signer, since it does not require additional technology and allows accepting an agreement quickly and easily. However, it is the type of electronic signature with the least legal robustness, since the identity of the signer cannot be indisputably assured. For this reason, the simple signature is valid for basic day-to-day communications such as changes in the privacy policy or communications to employees that do not require a high level of security from the company.

Advanced Signature: The advanced electronic signature has a higher level of security compared to the simple signature. According to article 26 of eIDAS, in order to have an advanced signature, the following requirements must comply with:

• It is uniquely linked to the signer.
• It enables the identification of the signer.
•  It must have been generated using data from the creation of the electronic signature that the signer can use, with a high level of trust, under his exclusive control, and be linked to the data signed by the same in such a way that any subsequent modification of themselves is detectable.

This electronic signature requires the physical presence of the signer, as they need to sign on a specific tool. Biometric data that identifies the signer is collected such as pressure, speed, inclination and position of the pencil used at the time of signing.

Unlike other biometric technologies, such as voice biometrics, fingerprints, iris recognition or voice recognition, the biometric signature is much easier to manage since the user is used to signing and is less reluctant to use this technology. Therefore, offers these advantages:

• Signature of documents in electronic format, very similar to the traditional experience of signing on paper.
• It has total and absolute legal validity.
• Real-time verification of the signature.
• Agility, efficiency and improvement of processes.
• Paperless Technology.
• It improves processes, since electronic documents make it possible to streamline the daily activities of the company and are more efficient than the traditional method, while improving the customer experience.
• It guarantees the correct signature of documents, since it allows the verification of the signature, saving time and guaranteeing the validity and security of the same.
•  It allows auditing the signatures of the documents quickly, thanks to the instant consultation in the company’s database, since they are easier to locate.

The digitization of the handwritten signature through biometric technology allows the signature to be recorded using special devices for this, which capture the signature’s own graph “image”, as well as the biometric features of the signer, differentiating those that are inherent to the person. Thus, they allow the identity of the signer to be authenticated and uniquely linked to the signed document. Although, as we have seen previously, not all signatures are the same. In order to obtain full legal validity and complete security, a specific combination of software and hardware will be required. For this reason, the technological solutions to be applied will vary according to the needs of the company.

ENSIGN 11 accelerates and simplifies your business document signing processes, thus ensuring legal compliance: your clients will be able to sign directly on the tablet with a digital pen, generating being able to generate a signature with full legal guarantees in just a few seconds. This tablet has a large 10.1” screen that allows you to view and navigate through the entire document efficiently, significantly improving the user experience. Thanks to its tactile functions, it is able to detect the pressure and movements executed by the pen through advanced biometrics (biometric functions available with additional software) in the signature and in the issuance of digital certificates. Both in its standard model and in its evolution with an NFC reader, it is a hybrid and versatile tool for digitizing handwritten signatures, providing different levels of security. With the ENSIGN11-NFC model you can interact with the NFC chip inserted in eIDs, passports, smartphones, etc.

ENSIGN 11 captures a simple digitized signature that can be used to sign any document in electronic format that does not require high probative value, such as acceptance of general conditions of service, privacy consent, vacation request, purchase request and travel authorizations , among others.

But with a compatible biometric software such as ENSOFT2, the device detects not only the signature graph, but also biometric data such as coordinates, pressure and time or acceleration and speed of the signature, allowing an advanced electronic signature experience with high probative value and the levels of confidence to sign documents in the public and private sector, be it an insurance contract, opening a bank account or a tax return.

If you are interested in knowing more about our exclusive solution for biometric signature, request information or if you have any additional questions, we encourage you to contact us. We will be delighted to help you. If you are on social networks, connect with us to be aware of our news and learn more about digital signatures and Digital Certificates. We are on Twitter and LinkedIn. Follow us!