There is very little difference between a qualified electronic signature and a qualified electronic seal. While a qualified electronic signature is used to sign an electronic document by a natural person, a qualified electronic seal is used to sign an electronic document by a legal person.
A qualified electronic seal as well as a qualified electronic signature of an electronic document ensures:
- Authenticity – the identity of the entity that created the signature can be unambiguously verified,
- Integrity – it can be shown that there has been no intentional or unintentional change in the content of the document as it was at the time it was signed,
- Indisputability – the author cannot claim that he has not made the given signature of the electronic document.
The use of a qualified electronic seal is, for example, in the communication of a legal entity with state and public administration bodies, in communication with the financial administration, courts, etc.
The following must be available for making a qualified electronic seal:
- Electronic document,
- Private key stored on a secure device,
- Public key belonging to a private key for which a qualified certificate has been issued by an accredited certification authority,
- Means for making an electronic signature certified by the NBU SR.
