Signature type
In Norway, we have three different types of digital signature, as described in the Norwegian Electronic Signature Act: authenticated, advanced and qualified. Standard signature is a strong signature, advanced signature is even stronger and qualified signature is the strongest signature.
We offer standard and advanced signature, which are legally valid signatures on a par with a handwritten signature. Qualified signature does not currently exist, but is intended to be achieved in the longer term via the National ID card.
Advanced signature
On using advanced signature, signing takes place using BankID. This provides a strong link between the verification of identity action and the documents to be signed.
An advanced signature has a stronger connection between the signature and the documents than an Authenticated signature, because only BankID is involved in the process.
Tip
Signing can take place using BankID, Buypass or BankID mobile phone. [1]
Authenticated signature
On using authenticated signature, the user’s identity is verified by ID-porten. ID-porten does not know that the login is connected to a signing and it is Signicat’s job to link the verification of identity and the documents to a signature.
An authenticated signature is a little weaker than an advanced signature because several parties are involved and it takes place in two stages.
The sender can select Security level on the signing.
Signature type selection
As a private organization, you can only select advanced signature and therefore do not need to set this explicitly.
As a public organization, you can choose between Advanced signature and Authenticated signature. The Norwegian Digitalisation Agency recommends public organizations to use authenticated signature because it is less expensive, but still fulfils the requirements made in the public sector.
Note
The default value for signature type is authenticated.
Footnotes