What is the difference between an e-Signature and a Digital Signature?
E-signature
What it is: Any electronic method of indicating agreement or approval.
Examples: Typing your name at the end of an email, clicking “I agree” on a form, drawing your signature with a mouse or finger.
Purpose: It shows intent to sign but doesn’t, by itself, guarantee security or authenticity.
Use in boards: When directors sign board minutes electronically in BoardSpace, that’s an e-signature. It’s legally valid in most jurisdictions because it clearly records the director’s approval of the minutes.
Digital signature
What it is: A type of e-signature that uses cryptographic technology to secure the signature.
How it works: A unique digital “fingerprint” (using encryption keys) is attached to the document. If the document is altered after signing, the signature becomes invalid.
Purpose: Provides a higher level of security, verification, and tamper-proofing.
Use in boards: Digital signatures are often required for highly sensitive or regulated documents (like legal contracts, government filings, or financial documents).
A simple way to remember the difference
Every digital signature is an e-signature.
Not every e-signature is a digital signature.
Think of an e-signature as writing your name on an online form, while a digital signature is like adding a padlock that proves it’s really you and the document hasn’t been touched since.