The European Directive defines the advanced electronic signature as follow:
In order to be considered as advanced electronic signature, a digital signature must be:
1- Uniquely linked to the signatory
2- Capable of identifying the signatory
3- Created using means under the sole control of the signatory
4- Linked to the data to which it relates
An advanced electronic signature has more significant value than an electronic signature: it guarantees the integrity of the text, as well as the authentication.
However, the advanced electronic signature does not yet offer all the guaranties expected as regards to the protection of the signature creation data (data used by the signatory to create an electronic signature). This is why the EC introduced in the directive the qualified digital signature , reinforcing therfore the advanced signature by raising the quality and the control over its creation even further.