The Anatomy of an Electronic Signature

The anatomy of an electronic signature

 

GUID - Tech Speak for ‘Unique’

This border contains a portion of the signer’s Globally Unique Identifier (GUID)–a 128-bit number in hexadecimal form, created for the signer by DocuSign. The full GUID is associated with a user upon authentication and signature creation. The association between signer and signature is managed internally and is both encrypted and hashed to ensure that it cannot be modified.

Signature

A DocuSign visual signature is generated in the DocuSign system by document signers. At the time of signature creation, the user is able to select a script style, name and initials. The user then agrees that the signature that they create will serve as a fully legal alternative to their handwritten signature. This gives the DocuSign signature the same legal effect as a ‘Wet Signature’ in the eyes of the law for any contract.

Cryptographic Security

Once registered in the system, the user protects the signature with a password. The signature is then itself encrypted and made tamperproof. From that point on, the user may apply this signature when they pass authentication to sign contracts.

 

The result - The Most Powerful Signature in the Industry

The DocuSign signature is the most powerful and reliable e-signature in the industry. Because of the above steps and the user’s involvement in creating their signature and because it is placed into exact locations into contracts being signed, DocuSign enables the most legally enforceable, and most familiar process to signers.

Beware of so-called e-sign solutions that do not allow the signer to create their own unique signature, these may not be legally enforceable. Be very careful about using solutions that do not allow the signer to place their signatures into the proper locations. Usually these solutions are not creating an ESIGN Act compliant signing process, and your contracts will be subject to greatly increased legal risk.

Don’t cut corners and risk your business on low-end e-sign solutions.
Stick with the leader, DocuSign.