Digital signature is one of the most secure way of securing a document at the moment. It helps in creating the trust in receiver and makes you feel safe for any fraud.
People have always been very fond and protective of the information or the data that they have in their possession guarding it very closely. The very first instance of such an occurrence was recorded in human history was during the Julius Caesar era. He is credited with creating one of the earliest cryptographic systems to send military messages to his generals. The main problem faced during those days was that of maintaining the secret key secret. Also in the centuries to follow key management was proving to be a pain. But today the concept of key management has become so much simpler because of the advent of technology where in many digital signature algorithms are set up in order to form guidelines in maintaining the sanctity of the key.
Digital signatures simply put are normal signatures but in an e-format. This was introduced to overcome the following drawbacks in the existing cryptography procedure.
Sending information over an electronic network posed several security problems:
- Since anyone could intercept and read the file, you need confidentiality
- Since someone else could create a similar counterfeit file, the bank needs to authenticate that it was actually you who created the file
- Since you could deny creating the file, the bank needs non-repudiation
- Since someone could alter the file; both you and the bank need data integrity
To overcome these issues, digital signature software performs a number of steps pre written in the digital signature algorithm. The first step is to “sign” the sheet containing the information with a digital signature.
Digital signatures can be used for many types of documents where traditional pen-and-ink signatures were used in the past. However, the mere existence of a digital signature is not adequate assurance that a document is what it appears to be. Moreover, government and enterprise settings often need to impose additional constraints on their signature workflows, such as restricting user choices and document behavior during and after signing. This is where digital signature software comes into picture, as it helps us to effectively sign the various documents. For example, the PDF language provides mechanisms for two broad categories of tasks:
- Fully trusting an electronic document by enabling verification that the signed document has not been altered and that it was signed by someone the recipient trusts
- Creating and controlling feature-rich and secure digital signature workflows
To digitally sign a PDF document, you must have a digital ID, and to verify other people’s signatures, you must first share your digital IDs and add each other to your Trusted Contacts list.
Now the question arises as to how to create a digital signature. It is as simple as getting a rubber stamp done, but of course with some procedure and a bit of paperwork involved. The signature authorities collect a nominal fee for the signature authorized to you for a period time, during which it is yours to use. Once the period gets over the signature can be renewed or else the authorities makes it available to some other desiring person. The digital signature binds the document in the sense once you affix your digital signature no matter what no one can alter the document, unless of course you give the key to someone else. So you can be sure that the document will retain its integrity and any changes made will immediately render the digital signature invalid thereby giving you maximum accountability.
Digital Certificates provide the foundation of a public key infrastructure (PKI). These are electronic credentials, issued by a Certification Authority (CA), that are associated with a public and private key pair. The certifying authorities issue digital certificates, which contain a public key and the identity of the owner. The certificates are issued in PFX (Personal inFormation eXchange) file format protected by a password. Digital certificates are what that makes the digital signatures authentic. Timestamping is another important mechanism for the long-term preservation of digital signatures, time sealing of data objects to prove when they were received, protecting copyright and intellectual property and for the provision of notarization services.
There is a new fad in the world these days it is called electronic signature. It is very similar to digital signatures the difference is it is more encrypted. An electronic signature, or e-signature, is any electronic means that indicates either that a person adopts the contents of an electronic message, or more broadly that the person who claims to have written a message is the one who wrote it (and that the message received is the one that was sent). By comparison, a signature is a stylized script associated with a person. In commerce and the law, a signature on a document is an indication that the person adopts the intentions recorded in the document. Both are comparable to a seal.
The important reasons as to why one should take up the digital signatures:
- Digital signatures make it easier to prove your fiscal compliance
- Digital signatures make it easier to provide trade law evidence
- Think about your reputation and responsibility: a customer-centric professional
- To overcome acquisition fraud: ghost invoices
- Return on investment
The digital signatures are here to stay as many governments around the world are making it compulsory for businesses today.
XITRUST
Optimize your business processes by the usage of electronic signatures and encryption. Flexible integration in your existing IT infrastructure.
- Integration into common systems across all industries and departments
- Compliance with legal requirements in all use cases
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EVERSIGN
eSignatures made secure, simple and affordable. Send, manage and sign documents from anywhere, on any device, or automate electronic signatures using our API.
- Legal Validity & Compliance
- Electronic Signatures
- Documents & Security
- Document Editor
- In-Person Signing
- Audit Trail
- Templates
- Multiple Businesses
- Team Management
- Contact Management
- App Integrations
- REST API
GONITRO
Empower your teams to do their best work with unlimited eSigning and the ability to create, convert, combine, edit, sign, and share PDFs.
- Customer-first philosophy
- Fast adoption
- Proven technology
- Enterprise-grade security
HELLOSIGN
Automate and manage your most important business transactions with the HelloSign platform.
- Document Workflows Completed at Lightning Speed
- Build the most elegant signing experience with our API
- A beautiful user experience
- Secure and legally binding
- Customize with your brand
- Extensive Integrations
- Designed for Teams
- Award-winning customer support
DIGISIGNER
DigiSigner is compliant with all major eSignature laws including ESIGN, UETA, and European eIDAS.
Citrix RightSignature
Citrix RightSignature: e-Signature Software, Get Documents Signed Quickly.
- Paperwork without the paper – or the work
- Help your clients do business with your business
- Powerful enough for your most complex workflows
- Secure, legally-binding, and industry compliant
DOCVERIFY
DocVerify’s Electronic Signature Solution to electronically sign or notarize documents from anywhere and anytime.
- Easy to Use
- Secure and Legal
- Improve Productivity
- Made Affordable
DELIVERYSLIP
DeliverySlip helps businesses keep their communication private and secure with our patented industrial-grade AES email encryption.
- Secure Signatures
- Authenticity & TwoFactor Authentication
- Custom Signature & Approval Workflow
- Audit & Regulatory Compliance
- Sign, Your Way
- Any Device
SYMTRAX
Symtrax is a global organization specializing in all business intelligence & Document Management solutions for all types of businesses.
- Apply Electronic Signatures to SAP Business Documents
- Review Business Documents Online
- Sign and Acknowledge Commercial or Internal Documents With a Single Click
GETACCEPT
E-signing, Sales Automation, e-signatures and smart document tracking to get contracts signed – E-sign sales documents and sales proposals with GetAccept.
- One Click eSignature
- Personalized Sales Engagement
- Data Driven Sales Enablement
- Contract Management
SECUREDSIGNING
Securely sign your PDF, Doc and other documents using PKI encrypted Electronic Digital Signature SaaS software.
- Automated signing process
- Save time and money
- Trusted Personalised X509 PKI Digital Signature
- Legally binding
- Sign remotely from anywhere, any time
- Sign with your full name or initials
- Sign with your scanned handwritten signature
- Select multiple pages to sign
- Sign-all button
- Signed documents are in PDF format
- Forward signed document by e-mail
- E-mail notifications
- Signature verification service
- Efficient paper-free environment
DIGIO
Aadhaar eSign and eKYC, Digital Signatures(DSC), eNACH(NPCI Electronic Mandates), digital documentation platform.
- Complete Integration Testing through Sandbox Immediate Onboarding & Quick Go-Live
- Identity linked Solution. Zero Risk of Signature frauds
- Simple & extensive APIs & SDKs with Plug-N-Play White-labelled & developer-friendly
- 24X7 Enterprise Support on Email & Phone Quick & Efficient Trouble-shooting
- Bank grade security with 2-Factor authentication. 100% conformance to Legal Acts
- Platform-Independent Solution Compatible with all Technical Applications & Services
SERTIFI
Sertifi offers the fastest and most secure way to close business, from legally-binding eSignatures to secure online payment capture.
- Secure and Legal
- Company Branding
- Simple Sending Process
- Customizable Workflows
- Multiple/Parallel Signers
- Custom Routing for Signing
- Reminders and Notifications
- Expiration Dates
- Advanced User Authentication
- Mobility and In-Person Signing
- Track, Manage & Receive Real Time Updates
- Advanced Reporting & Analytics
- Secure Document Storage (extended storage available)
- Mobile Friendly
ASCERTIA
World-class products for Advanced Digital signatures, E-signatures, Digital Signature Verification, Digital Signing, Timestamping, eID Validation & Secure Archiving.
- Prepare & Send
- Review & Sign
- Track & Manage
ELOCK
E-Lock provides PKI based Digital signature and electronic Signature software solutions to improve productivity with paperless transactions.
- Sign documents in a single click from anywhere, anytime
- Ensure highest level of security and data integrity
- Solutions that adhere to global electronic signature laws
- E-Lock components seamlessly integrate with any existing or new third party application developed in C/C++/.Net/Java etc.
- Include all features of a digital signature viz – user authentication, audit trails, data integrity, non-repudiation, time stamping etc.
- Organisations achieve speedy ROI by cutting costs associated with paper documents