An eSeal, also known as an electronic seal, is a digital equivalent of a traditional seal or stamp used for authentication and authorization purposes in electronic documents and transactions. It is typically used to ensure the integrity and authenticity of electronic documents, similar to how a physical seal is used to authenticate paper documents.
Key characteristics of an eSeal include:
- Digital Representation: An eSeal is a digital representation of a seal or stamp used to authenticate electronic documents. It may include visual elements such as images or text, as well as cryptographic data.
- Authentication: eSeals are used to authenticate the origin and integrity of electronic documents. They provide assurance that the document has not been tampered with and originates from the entity represented by the seal.
- Cryptographic Protection: eSeals often employ cryptographic techniques such as digital signatures to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the sealed documents. This involves using a private key to create a digital signature that can be verified with a corresponding public key.
- Legal Recognition: In many jurisdictions, eSeals have legal recognition equivalent to traditional seals or stamps. They may be used to sign contracts, authenticate official documents, and fulfill other legal requirements in electronic transactions.
eSeals play a crucial role in various industries and sectors, including government, finance, healthcare, and legal services, where the integrity and authenticity of electronic documents are paramount. They are an important component of electronic identification, authentication, and trust services frameworks such as those outlined in the eIDAS regulation in the European Union.
