Glossary
Digital Signature
A cryptographic signature using a private key tied to a verified identity — the strongest form of electronic signature.
Digital Signature
A digital signature is a cryptographic signature computed using a private key tied to a verified identity (via a digital certificate from a Certificate Authority). It is the strongest tier of electronic signature.
Unlike a typed or drawn eSignature, a digital signature provides:
- Non-repudiation: the signer cannot later claim “that wasn't me” without compromising the private key
- Tamper evidence: any modification of the document after signing invalidates the signature
- Identity binding: the certificate binds the signature to a verified identity
In Papyrus, digital signatures are supported on Enterprise plans, integrating with Kenyan and international Certificate Authorities. The signed PDF embeds the signature, certificate, and timestamp.
Don't confuse with “digitised signature” — an image of a wet signature scanned in. That's just a picture. A digital signature is mathematics.