What is an electronic signature?

Electronic signature is a technical equivalent of a hand written signature. It is an electronic information bound to the signed electronic document which identifies its author (signer). Qualified electronic signature (QES) is a form of electronic signature where the identity of the QES author is unambiguously proven. From the legislation point of view, it is equated to a notarized signature.

What is QES to me?

Commercial Code constitutes equality between hand written form and electronic form of signature. Benefits of QES usage reflect benefits of electronic communication, especially:

• time efficiency (speed of communication)
  • to communication with governmental bodies can be processed from the comfort of workplace or home
• saving of resources (administration fees savings)
  • the legislation enables to decrease administration fees for electronic form of communication with public. For example, applications at electronic services of Business Register of the Slovak republic require half the value of administration fees opposite to traditional paper communication
• process simplification (better implementation)
  • automation and decrease of human factor in the organizations providing electronic services
• authenticity, integrity and non-repudation of electronic signature (protection against fraud)
  • unambiguous identity of the electronic service user enables full legal acceptance equally to traditional paper form

Where can I use QES?

With the oncoming electronic communication in the common business relationship, and step by step introduction of electronic services in the public administration, it is possible to use QES at more and more points.

Electronic signature and qualified electronic signature is suitable to use for, eq.:

• pre electronic services of Business Register
• legal actions
• invoicing and other accounting
• tax return
• customes clearance
• business contracts
•  employmnent legal documents

What do I need for QES?

To sign an electronic document it is needed to have following equipment:

• qualified certificate with a private signing key
• signature creation application certified by National Security Authority

You can find more information in Support section.

Where can I get the equipment for QES?

Ardaco provides all necessary products and services to be used for handling with QES. Visit our electronic shop, where you can find everything needed to handle the electronic