What is an electronic (digital) signature?

Just like a normal signature on paper, an electronic (digital) signature provides functions for:

• identification – of the document’s author.
• authenticity – so that the recipient of a signed document can be sure of the identity of the person who has signed the document.
• finalisation and intent – the signature signals that the document is in its completed final form.
• warning – the signature makes the issuer and reader of the document aware that the document may be used in legal contexts.

In brief, signatures are a means of guranteeing the contents and authenticity of a document, and of confirming the connection between the person issuing the document and its contents. There is no real difference between a document signed by hand and a document with an electronic signature. The real problem lies in verifying that the signature is authentic. An electronic signature has functions that are designed to confirm that the information comes from the person who has signed and that no one has subsequently changed or manipulated the information. You should not be able to edit a document that has been signed electronically without it showing.

An electronic signature is legally equivalent to a manual signature. There are a few exceptions, but these are hardly relevant to ordinary administrative decisions at Uppsala University. When signing contracts, in most cases a manual signature is not required. One exception is contracts for the transfer of real property.

To make it easier for staff working from home to use electronic signatures, Uppsala University offers the opportunity to create a personal electronic signature.