General: Understand digital security and Nordic signing in Handsal
When you enter the world of digital signing, it is essential to understand that not all signatures are created equal. At Handsal we have built a platform that balances legal weight with technical flexibility. By choosing the right level of security for the specific task, you can ensure a professional and smooth user experience while protecting your company with the strongest evidence on the market.
The choice of signing method often depends on the nature of the document, the amounts involved and the potential legal risks associated with the agreement. Below we go through your options from the simple everyday signature to advanced Nordic identification.
1. SES (Simple Electronic Signature): Speed and flexibility
SES, or a simple electronic signature, is the most widely used method for handling everyday agreements. This method is designed to remove any barriers for the recipient, making it extremely effective when speed is more important than strong identity checks.
How does it work? The process is based on the recipient's unique access to their own email account. When a person opens the link and signs in Handsal, the system generates a digital log that records their IP address, a precise timestamp and the completed email validation as proof of the signature.
Ideal use: SES is the perfect choice for internal approvals, straightforward purchase agreements, supplier agreements or documents where there is already a high degree of trust between the parties. It ensures that the process never stalls just because the recipient does not have their code or app ready.
2. AES (Advanced Electronic Signature): Maximum security
When the stakes are higher and you need a technical guarantee that the signer is exactly who they claim to be, AES is the right choice. An advanced electronic signature meets the strict requirements of the EU eIDAS regulation and provides significantly stronger evidence in case of dispute.
How does it work? With AES, an extra layer of identification is added, typically via two-factor authentication (2FA). The recipient must enter a unique one-time code sent directly to their private mobile number via SMS before they can access the document to sign. This links the signature directly to a personal, physical device.
Ideal use: We recommend AES for critical documents such as employment contracts, major partnership agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) or agreements with high financial value.
3. Nordic e-ID: Signing with MitID, BankID and FTN
To ensure the highest level of trust, Handsal supports the leading national identification solutions in the Nordic region. Here you elevate security from a technical validation to a government-verified identification.
What is e-ID (BankID & MitID)?
These systems are personal, digital identity solutions issued in cooperation between banks and authorities. When a person signs with their e-ID, it is legally equivalent to presenting a physical passport and then placing their physical signature on paper. It is the strongest form of identification available today.
We support the Nordic region
- Denmark – MitID: We are fully integrated with MitID, the national standard that all Danes know from their netbank and public self-service. It gives a familiar experience for the signer.
- Sweden – BankID: For Swedish partners we offer integration with Swedish BankID. It is the dominant standard in Sweden and considered the most secure method of identity verification on the Swedish market.
- Finland – FTN (Finnish Trust Network): Via the FTN network you can securely do business with Finnish companies. FTN brings together strong authentication methods such as Finnish bank codes and mobile certificates under the strict requirements of the Finnish authorities.
Why require national e-IDs in your process?
By enabling MitID, BankID or FTN in Handsal you eliminate any doubt about who has placed the signature. This is not just a technical upgrade, but a strategic safeguard for your company:
- Major financial transactions: Protect yourself against fraud in large purchase or loan agreements.
- Property and leasing: Make commercial leases and property transactions legally watertight.
- Management documents: Use it for board minutes, director contracts and other legally weighty declarations.
Need guidance?
Unsure which method fits your next contract? Our system can be set up with defaults that match your industry, but you always have the freedom to switch manually per case. Shall we help you enable Nordic e-ID on your account so you can close your first deal in Sweden or Finland?