E-Signature Glossary

Selected Entries

Electronic Signature Glossary: Certificate Authority Certificate (CA Certificate)

A Certificate Authority Certificate (CA certificate) is a digital credential issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) to bind an entity’s identity—such as an individual, organization, server, or device—to a public key. As the trust anchor of Public

certificates-trust

Electronic Signature Glossary: PAdES (PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures)

PAdES is an advanced electronic signature standard designed for PDF documents. By embedding certificate chains, timestamps, and validation data, it enables long-term validation (LTV), so signed files remain legally valid and verifiable years later without

documents-formats

Entry explanation

Public Key Cryptography Standard (PKCS)

Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS) form a foundational suite of specifications for implementing secure cryptographic mechanisms in public key infrastructure (PKI). Developed initially by RSA Laboratories, these standards outline protocols for key ge

Digital Onboarding Compliance

Digital Onboarding Compliance ensures that electronic identity verification and agreement processes adhere to robust cryptographic frameworks, enabling secure and legally binding digital interactions. At its core, the architecture leverages standards such

Data Integrity in Digital Contracts

Data integrity in digital contracts is paramount for ensuring the authenticity and immutability of agreements in electronic form. Leveraging Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), cryptographic architectures employ digital signatures and hashing mechanisms to d

Cryptographic Timestamping

Cryptographic timestamping is a foundational element in public key infrastructure (PKI) that embeds verifiable time evidence into digital artifacts, ensuring their temporal integrity. Architecturally, it relies on trusted third-party Time Stamping Authori

Authenticator Assurance Level (AAL)

Authenticator Assurance Level (AAL) defines the robustness of authentication mechanisms in public key infrastructure (PKI) systems, ensuring secure identity verification through cryptographic protocols. In cryptographic architecture, AAL aligns with stand

Identity Assurance Level (IAL)

Identity Assurance Level (IAL) defines the degree of confidence in the verification of a user's identity within Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems, ranging from basic (IAL1) to high (IAL3) assurance. In cryptographic architecture, IAL integrates with

Cloud-based Digital Signature

Cloud-based digital signatures leverage public key infrastructure (PKI) to enable secure, remote authentication and non-repudiation of electronic documents. At the core of their cryptographic architecture is asymmetric cryptography, utilizing algorithms s

Remote Signing Service Provider (RSSP)

A Remote Signing Service Provider (RSSP) facilitates secure, remote digital signing by managing private keys in a protected environment, such as hardware security modules (HSMs), while allowing users to authorize signatures via authenticated channels. Arc

Signature Appearance Customization

Signature appearance customization in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) enables the visual representation of digital signatures—such as logos, text, or graphical elements—while preserving underlying cryptographic integrity. This feature aligns with standard

Visual Signature Representation

Visual Signature Representation in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) refers to the graphical embedding and rendering of digital signatures within documents, ensuring verifiable integrity and authenticity. Architecturally, it leverages cryptographic standard

Attribute Certificate

Attribute Certificates (ACs) form a critical component of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), extending beyond traditional public-key certificates by binding verifiable attributes—such as roles, clearances, or qualifications—to an entity without directly lin

Key Ceremony (Root Key)

The Key Ceremony for a Root Key represents a critical process in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) architecture, ensuring the secure generation and activation of the foundational cryptographic key pair that anchors the chain of trust. Conducted in a highly

Intermediate Certificate Authority

An Intermediate Certificate Authority (ICA) serves as a pivotal component in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) hierarchies, bridging root CAs and end-entity certificates to enhance scalability and risk isolation. Architecturally, ICAs adhere to the X.509 st

Self-Signed Certificate (Root)

A self-signed root certificate serves as the foundational trust anchor in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), where the certificate issuer and subject are identical, eliminating reliance on external certification authorities. Cryptographically, it adheres to

Entrustment Chain (Chain of Trust)

The Entrustment Chain, also known as the Chain of Trust, forms the foundational backbone of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems, establishing a hierarchical sequence of digital certificates from a trusted root Certificate Authority (CA) to end-entity

Non-Repudiation (Digital Evidence)

Non-repudiation in digital evidence establishes undeniable proof of actions, such as document signing or transaction approval, through cryptographic mechanisms that bind the originator's identity to the content. At its core, this relies on public key infr

Certification Practice Statement (CPS)

A Certification Practice Statement (CPS) serves as a comprehensive document outlining the operational policies and procedures of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Certification Authority (CA), ensuring robust cryptographic security and compliance. In term

Certificate Policy (CP)

A Certificate Policy (CP) serves as the foundational governance document in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), defining the operational, security, and assurance requirements for issuing and managing digital certificates. Aligned with cryptographic architect