Digital stamp

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Digital stamps or seals are products that transfer the stamp metaphor of the analog, paper-based world into the electronic world. Since the visibility of the stamp imprint plays a central role as a distinguishing feature, digital stamp imprints are mainly used for PDF documents. These have the advantage that their presentation is cross-platform compliant and their printout is close to the electronic original.

Technical implementation

Technically, digital stamp imprints are implemented using electronic signatures . In addition to the visible stamp imprint, which is embedded in the PDF document as a seal graphic , the hash value of the document is electronically signed with the private key of the “stamp owner”. The signature generated in this way is embedded in the document and can be verified at any time by clicking the hyperlink linked to it. When using a suitable signature environment, the digital stamp (imprint) is to be seen as an analogue to the electronic signature according to the Signature Act .

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of the digital stamp (imprint) lies in the clearly visible reference to the signatory in the form of a logo, the existence of the electronic signature and the easy verifiability, which is particularly important for PDF invoices. Disadvantages compared to the normal electronic signature arise with digital stamp imprints when proprietary, manufacturer-specific processes and formats are used.

literature

  • Matthias Sann: On the importance of computer networks for marketing . Siegen Comprehensive University.
  • Andreas Bertsch: Digital Signatures . Springer Verlag, Berlin 2002, ISBN 3-540-42351-6 .