What Is an Electronic Signature? Types and Practical Uses

Electronic signatures: the concept, the types and practical uses

Electronic signatures come up more and more as remote work spreads, but many people mix up the concepts. This article explains the types and uses, and flags what you need to check before relying on them in official dealings.

Paperless office 6 min read

By Nour Aldein Tleti. Updated 7 October 2026.

What is an electronic signature and how can it be used?

An electronic signature is any electronic means that shows a specific person’s agreement to a document, from typing a name or clicking an approve button to a digital signature based on an encryption certificate that proves the signer’s identity and reveals any later change. It is used internally for approvals and acknowledgements, and with outside parties as far as the regulations in force allow. So check current local legal requirements before relying on it for contracts and official transactions.

Types of electronic signature

Simple signature: Typing a name, clicking “I agree” or drawing a signature with a finger on the screen. Easy to use but weaker at proving identity.
Signature with added verification: Linked to extra verification steps such as a code sent to a phone or email, with a log recording the time and device.
Certificate-based digital signature: Relies on a digital certificate issued by a certification authority and uses encryption to bind the signature to the signer and to the document itself, so any change after signing shows up.
Scanned signature image: Pasting an image of a signature onto a file is not a reliable electronic signature, because it is easy to copy and doesn’t prove who placed it.

Practical uses

Internal approvals: Approving requests, policies and meeting minutes within the organisation according to its own regulations.
Employee acknowledgements: An employee signing to confirm receipt of the internal rules, a privacy policy or company equipment.
Quotes and orders: A customer accepting a quote electronically speeds up the start of work, with a record of the acceptance kept.
Delivery receipts: The recipient signs on the sales rep’s phone screen when receiving goods.
Contracts with outside parties: Possible in many countries, but their legal weight varies by law and contract type, so they need checking in advance.

What to check in Syria

The current legal framework: Check the texts in force on electronic transactions and signatures and on accredited certification bodies, and whether they apply to your type of document. Consult a lawyer when in doubt.
Acceptance by the other party: Even where an electronic signature is legally possible, an official body, bank or partner may ask for a signed paper copy.
Service availability: Some international signing platforms may not be available in Syria or may be hard to pay for, so look into locally available alternatives or in-house solutions.

How to start using electronic signatures

01
Classify your documents
Separate internal documents from those you exchange with outside parties.
02
Start internally
Enable electronic signatures for internal approvals and acknowledgements, and adopt this in a written internal regulation.
03
Check external documents legally
Review current local requirements with a legal adviser before signing contracts electronically.
04
Choose a tool with an audit trail
A tool that records the signer’s identity, the time of signing and the device, and prevents the document being changed after signing.
05
Store signed documents in the archive
Together with the signature certificate or log, not in email or chats.

Comparing signature types

Type	Strength of evidence	Suitable use
Typed name or approve button	Low	Simple internal approvals and routine acknowledgements
Signature with verification code and log	Medium	Quotes, orders and delivery receipts
Certificate-based digital signature	High	Sensitive documents and contracts, if legally recognised
Pasted signature image	Very weak	Not recommended

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Frequently asked questions

Is signing on a phone screen an electronic signature?

Yes, it is a form of simple electronic signature, and it carries more weight when the time, location, device identity and the name of the person who handed over the goods are stored with it.

What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?

Electronic signature is a broad concept covering any electronic means of agreement. A digital signature is a specific type based on a certificate and encryption, giving stronger proof of identity and of the document’s integrity.

Can an employment contract be signed electronically?

That depends on the laws in force and the requirements of the bodies responsible for labour and social insurance. Check current local legal requirements before dropping the paper copy.

How do we protect electronic signatures from misuse?

Tie every signature to a personal account protected by a strong password and two-factor authentication, never share accounts, and keep a log of every signing.