Are Electronic Signatures Safe?

Yes, electronic signatures are safe. In fact, for most modern businesses, they are significantly safer than traditional paper methods. Here’s why an e-signature is more secure than a wet signature, how the technology works, and the specific features that help keep your agreements protected.

Key takeaways

• Electronic signatures are inherently more secure than wet signatures because they contain traceable digital evidence and tamper-proofing.

• Tamper-evident seals automatically invalidate a document if even a single byte of data is changed after signing.

• The signing process generates a comprehensive audit trail that serves as court-admissible proof of the transaction.

• Identity verification methods, from email authentication to biometric checks, ensure the person signing is who they say they are.

Why is an e-signature more secure than a wet signature?

A common question people have is “Can my digital signature be forged, misused or copied?”

The reality is, wet signatures can easily be forged and tampered with. An electronic signature has multiple layers of security and authentication built in, along with court-admissible proof of transaction. An electronic signature helps you avoid tampering and impersonation in digital communications because it is unique to you.

Deloitte showed that enterprise customers using platforms like Docusign reported a 77% improvement in risk mitigation in their agreement processes compared to manual methods.

Electronic record

Unlike wet signatures, e-signature providers may offer an electronic record that serves as an audit trail and proof of the transaction. For example, the audit trail may include the history of signature-related actions taken with the document, such as details on when it was opened, viewed, and signed. 

Depending on the provider, and if the signer agreed to allow access to their location, the record will also show the geo-location where it was electronically signed. If one of the signers disputes their e-signature, or if there’s any question about the transaction, this audit trail is available to all participants involved in the transaction and can resolve such objections.

Certificates of completion

More detailed certificates of completion can include specific details about each signer on the signed document. This can include the consumer disclosure indicating the signer agreed to use e-signature, the e-signature image, key event timestamps, and the signer's IP address, aloong with other identifying information.

Tamper-evident seal

Once the signing process is complete, some providers may digitally seal the documents using Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), an industry-standard encryption management technology. This seal indicates the digital signature is valid and that the document hasn’t been tampered with or altered since the date of signing. This ensures total document integrity.

How do electronic signatures work?

The document signing process is designed to capture intent and secure the document in a specific sequence: access is granted, identity is signaled, intent is captured, and finally, audit trails and tamper evidence are applied.

Need an easy-to-create, reusable signature? Try the free Docusign Signature Generator to create a professional digital identity in seconds.

The exact signing process varies depending on the e-signature provider that you use, but the underlying workflows of more robust solutions are similar.

Sending a document for e-signature

Sending a document is no longer about attaching a file to an insecure email. It is a structured workflow that ensures the right person receives the right information.

• Upload: Upload the document you need signed, such as a Word document or a PDF file.

• Tag: Tag the sections that require initials, signatures, phone numbers, etc.

• Authenticate: Select the methods of signer authentication you want to use.

• Send: Send the file via the service to your designated recipient’s email.

Signing a document

For the recipient, the electronic signing is designed to be frictionless, even on mobile devices, while security checks run invisibly in the background.

• Notify: Receive an email notification to review and sign a document.

• Verify: Verify your identity before signing (if the sender requires that option).

• Consent: Read the disclosure documents and agree to use the electronic process.

• Review: Review the document and complete any necessary fields, including attaching any required documents.

• Sign: Sign the document by clicking the signature button or applying an e-signature mark.

Once all recipients have signed the document, they’re notified, and the document is stored electronically for viewing and downloading. All of this is done safely due to the built-in security features and the processes that e-signature providers follow.

What are common methods of electronic signature verification?

It is important to distinguish between verification and authentication: verification checks the signature event and document integrity, while authentication is the identity method used during signing.

For a deeper dive on identity tools, read our guide.

E-signature technology offers multiple options for verifying a signer’s identity before they can access the document and sign, including:

• Email address: signers enter their own email address, which is compared to the email address used in the invitation

• SMS: signers must enter a one-time passcode sent via SMS text message

• Knowledge-based authentication (KBA): signers are asked personal questions gathered from commercially available databases, such as past addresses or vehicles owned

• Photo ID upload: signers are verified using their government-issued photo IDs such as passport, driver license or residence permit

• Electronic or bank based IDs: signers can submit their login credentials for existing bank accounts or government accounts to prove their identity

For situations where additional levels of signature validity are necessary, some providers offer two additional levels of e-signature that comply with the European Union’s (EU) eIDAS requirements:

• Advanced: requires a higher level of security, identity verification and authentication to establish a link to the signatory; and includes a certificate-based digital ID (X.509 PKI) issued by a trusted service provider

• Qualified: an even more secure version of an advanced e-signature that utilizes a “secure signature creation device” and is deemed a legal equivalent to a wet signature in the EU

How do you ensure secure electronic signatures?

The level of e-signature security varies by provider, so it’s important to choose a provider that has robust security and protection weaved into every area of their business. Security isn't just about software; it requires a chain of custody that spans physical infrastructure, platform code, and operational processes.

Physical security

Even in a cloud-based world, your data lives on physical servers. Leading providers ensure these facilities are as secure as a bank vault to protect data from physical threats.

• Geo-dispersed data centers with active and redundant systems and physical and logically separated networks

• Commercial-grade firewalls and border routers to detect IP-based and denial-of -service attacks

• Malware protection

• Secure, near real-time data replication

• Around-the-clock onsite security

• Strict physical access controls with monitored video surveillance

Platform security

The e-signature software itself must be built to resist cyber threats, ensuring that sensitive documents remain private and encrypted at all times.

• Encrypt data in transit and at rest with Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections and AES 256-bit encryption

• Data access and transfer via HTTPS

• Use of Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), giving users the latest capabilities for Web-based authentication and authorization

• PKI tamper-evident seal

• Certificate of completion

• Signature verification and unalterable capture of signing actions and completion status

• Multiple authentication methods for signers

Security certifications and processes

For industry regulations and enterprise needs, independent validation is non-negotiable. These certifications prove that a provider follows rigorous privacy and security best practices. 

Compliance with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards, governing digital transactions and electronic signatures, including:

• ISO 27001:2013 Opens in a new tab: the highest level of global information security assurance available today

• SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 Opens in a new tab: both reports evaluate internal controls, policies and procedures, with the SOC 2 report focusing on those directly related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy at a service organization

• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Opens in a new tab: ensures safe and secure handling of credit card holder information

• Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Security Trust Assurance and Risk (STAR) program Opens in a new tab: comprises key principles of transparency, rigorous auditing and harmonization of standards.

• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Privacy Recognition for Processor (PRP) System Opens in a new tab: comprises Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) and Framework to protect the privacy and security of personal information at rest and in transit

Ability to help support compliance obligations with specialized industry regulations, such as HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11 and specified rules from the FTC, FHA, IRS and FINRA

Security management processes and development practices, including business continuity and disaster recovery planning, employee training, secure coding practices, formal code reviews and regular security audits

Docusign security: leaving nothing to chance

So, the next time you ask yourself, “Is e-signing safe?” Yes; but only if the platform you choose is built on a foundation of trust.

Docusign eSignature is trusted by over a billion users and 95% of the Fortune 500 because we leave nothing to chance. From our carrier-grade infrastructure to our security-first approach in compliance, we deliver the evidence and control you need to do business without hesitation. Docusign maintains a security-first approach to ensuring the validity of e-signatures through enhanced signer identity verification, multiple layers of physical and platform security, and a robust compliance certification program.

For more information on the safety and security of Docusign eSignature specifically, visit the Docusign Trust Center.

FAQs

What are the risks of electronic signatures?

The primary risks involve compromised credentials (someone guessing your password) or phishing attacks (tricking you into signing a fake document). However, using features like multi-factor authentication and verifying the sender's identity significantly mitigates these risks compared to physical paper processes.

Can someone do anything with my electronic signature? 

No. A secure electronic signature is not a static image that can be "lifted" and pasted onto another document. It is a cryptographic process unique to the specific document you signed. If someone tries to copy the visual appearance of your signature to another file, it will lack the invalid cryptographic digital certificates and audit trail, making it invalid.

Can digital signatures be trusted?

Yes. Digital signatures (a specific type of electronic signature) use Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to offer the highest level of assurance. They are backed by a trusted third party (a Certificate Authority) that verifies the signer's identity before issuing a certificate.

Does an electronic signature hold up in court? 

Yes. Laws like the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) in the U.S. and eIDAS in Europe give e-signatures the same legal status as handwritten ones. Courts routinely accept the audit trails provided by platforms like Docusign as admissible evidence. [Learn more about e-signature legality]

How can I tell if an e-signature request is legitimate? 

Check the email address of the sender and look for the unique security code usually included in legitimate notification emails. If the email uses urgent or threatening language, or if the link URL looks suspicious, do not click it. Authentic Docusign emails will always direct you to the secure Docusign system.