What is an advanced electronic signature (AES)?
In Switzerland and the EU, electronic signatures are divided into three levels in accordance with ZertES and eIDAS: simple electronic signatures (SES), advanced electronic signatures (FES) and qualified electronic signatures (QES).
Compared to the SES, the AES offers greater security and better verifiability. It requires the unambiguous identification of the signatory, ensures the immutability of the signature after signing, and often involves two-factor authentication, such as an SMS code or the use of an authentication app.
These requirements make the AES significantly more reliable than the SES, which often only requires a simple click or the uploading of a signature graphic.
When is AES used?
AES is suitable for documents that require a higher level of commitment but are not necessarily subject to the legal written form requirement:
- Employment contracts: For contracts that do not require a handwritten signature but must still be legally binding.
- Supplier and service contracts: When increased evidential value is required.
- Quotations and offers: For the legally binding submission of offers with proof of identity.
- Confidentiality agreements (NDAs): For documents with increased security requirements.
How does AES work digitally?
Advanced electronic signatures rely on additional security mechanisms to verify the identity of the signer and ensure the integrity of the document. These include:
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): The signer must identify themselves via a second medium, e.g., via SMS code or authentication app.
- Cryptographic security: The signature is linked to a unique digital identity and cryptographically protected.
- Document protection: The signature is linked to the document so that subsequent changes can be detected.
- Audit trail: Each signature is documented with a detailed verification log that serves as evidence.
Advantages of digital AES
AES offers greater security through identity verification and encryption. It increases the evidential value, as each signature is documented in a traceable manner. It also enables efficient, media-break-free processing and facilitates digital business transactions.
AES with signeer from mesoneer
With signeer from mesoneer, companies can integrate AES securely and efficiently into their digital processes. The platform offers reliable authentication mechanisms and ensures fast, media-break-free signatures. Automated verification documentation guarantees maximum legal certainty and traceability.
Benefit from a digital signature that meets the highest security standards. Start now with signeer and optimize your business processes – simply, securely, and digitally!
Sign digitally and securely with signeer!
Fabian Vollmayer
Frequently asked questions
An advanced electronic signature (AES) is uniquely linked to a person and enables the signatory to be identified. It is often secured by cryptographic methods, certificates, or two-factor authentication.
According to the eIDAS Regulation, an AES must:
- be uniquely linked to the signatory,
- enable the signatory to be identified,
- be linked to the signed data in such a way that any subsequent changes can be detected,
- be created using means that are under the sole control of the signatory.
The AES is sufficient for many business and legal documents that require a higher level of security than a simple electronic signature. It is suitable, for example, for contracts with business partners, financial documents, or legally binding agreements where stronger authentication is desired
Yes, the FES is legally valid and recognized in the EU in accordance with the eIDAS Regulation and in Switzerland in accordance with the ZertES. It offers greater security than a simple electronic signature, but is not sufficient for all documents—a qualified electronic signature (QES) is recommended for particularly sensitive or highly regulated contracts.
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