Digital Signature Security Measures for signNow

Award-winning eSignature solution

What digital signature security measures do

Digital signature security measures are the controls that protect an electronic signature, confirm who signed, and preserve the document’s integrity after signing. In practice, they combine identity checks, encrypted signing, audit logs, and tamper-evident records so a signed file can be trusted later. For U.S. transactions, the goal is to show intent, attribution, and an unchanged record. signNow supports this workflow with authentication options, audit trails, and secure document handling across desktop and mobile devices.

Why digital signature security matters

Digital signature security measures reduce manual handling, speed approvals, and create evidence that supports enforceability under ESIGN and UETA when the signer’s intent and identity are documented.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Common security challenges

Weak signer verification can make it harder to prove who actually signed the record.
Missing audit details can leave gaps in the signing history and weaken evidence.
Poor retention practices can make signed records hard to retrieve during disputes or reviews.
Unclear access controls can expose sensitive documents to unauthorized users or edits.

Business workflows

Teams use digital signature security measures for contracts, approvals, consent forms, and regulated records that need clear signer attribution.

Document types

They apply to lease packets, patient forms, financial approvals, HR documents, and government records with audit requirements.

Typical users and roles

Real estate operations teams use signNow to move lease applications, disclosures, and closing packets through mobile-friendly signing while keeping a clear record of who signed, when they signed, and what changed. This fits high-volume property workflows where speed and traceability both matter.,
NetSuite operations leaders and finance teams use signNow to route approvals, invoices, and customer-facing forms through connected workflows. Xerox’s operations story shows how integration-driven signing helps place the right signatures on the right documents in the right format.

be ready to get more

Get legally-binding signatures now!

Start free trial

Request a call

Best ROI. Our customers achieve an average 7x ROI within the first six months.
Scales with your use cases. From SMBs to mid-market, airSlate SignNow delivers results for businesses of all sizes.
Intuitive UI and API. Sign and send documents from your apps in minutes.

Signer identity

Identity verification helps tie each signature to a specific person, which strengthens attribution and reduces disputes about signer intent.

Tamper evidence

Tamper-evident records preserve the signed file and make later changes detectable, supporting document integrity after completion.

Audit trail

Audit trails capture timestamps, actions, and delivery history, giving teams a clear record for reviews and disputes.

Mobile access

Mobile signing lets people complete documents on phones and tablets without losing the security controls around the transaction.

Reusable templates

Template-based sending keeps repeated workflows consistent, which helps teams apply the same controls across recurring documents.

Controlled routing

Role-based routing directs documents to the right people in order, reducing signing errors and unnecessary exposure.

Connected workflows and systems

Connected systems move signed documents into the tools teams already use, while keeping the signing record tied to the source workflow.

How secure signing works

The signing flow starts with access control, then records each action so the final document has a defensible history.

Send request: The signer receives a secure request and opens the document.
Verify identity: Identity checks confirm the signer before access continues.
Log activity: The system records timestamps and signing actions automatically.
Seal record: The completed file is sealed for later review.

Quick setup steps

Use a simple setup sequence to get secure signing in place without changing the document’s legal purpose.

Prepare file:
Choose the document and add required signers.
Set verification:
Set the authentication level for each signer.
Send for signature:
Send the request and monitor completion status.
Archive record:
Store the completed file with its audit trail.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	SMS OTP for higher-risk forms
Signature type	SES for routine U.S. workflows
Audit trail	Enable full event logging
Document retention	6 years for HIPAA records
Encryption	TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256

Platform and device support

signNow works across major browsers and mobile operating systems, so teams can sign and send documents from desktop or mobile devices.

Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Operating systems Windows 11, macOS, iOS, Android
Mobile devices iPhone, iPad, and Android phones

For regulated workflows, use managed devices, current browser versions, and secure network settings. Mobile signing is supported on iOS and Android, while desktop access is available in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Security and compliance snapshot

Encryption:

TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Data storage:

AES-256 at rest

Security report:

SOC 2 Type II available

Management system:

ISO 27001 certified

Healthcare use:

HIPAA support with BAA

Regulated records:

21 CFR Part 11 support

NetSuite operations

A NetSuite operations leader needed signatures tied to the right documents and formats across systems.

Xerox used signNow with NetSuite integration.
The workflow matched document format and routing needs.

That approach helped keep signatures aligned with document type and business process, while reducing manual rework across connected systems.

Healthcare forms

A healthcare team needed patient forms signed online with HIPAA-aware controls and a clear record.

Fertility Centers of Illinois chose signNow.
The API and support helped fit their workflow.

The result was a more organized signing process for patient documents, with security and auditability better suited to regulated healthcare handling.

Best practices for secure signing

A good setup reduces disputes by making identity, intent, and record integrity visible at every stage of the signing process.

Match authentication to risk

Use stronger authentication for contracts, healthcare forms, and financial approvals. Match the verification method to the document’s risk level, and keep the process simple enough that signers can complete it without confusion.

Preserve a complete audit trail

Keep the audit trail complete and readable. Record signer identity, timestamps, delivery events, and completion status so the file can support internal review, compliance checks, and later disputes.

Set retention before rollout

Apply retention rules before sending documents. Set a clear storage period for HIPAA, employment, or contract records, and make sure completed files remain searchable and retrievable.

Restrict access by role

Limit access to people who need the document. Use role-based permissions, controlled sharing, and user provisioning rules so sensitive records do not circulate beyond the intended workflow.

Day 1:

Set up the account, authentication, and retention rules.

Day 2:

Send the first document and confirm the audit trail.

Week 1:

Onboard the team and assign role-based access.

7-day trial:

signNow offers a 7-day free trial, no credit card required.

HIPAA retention:

Retain signed PHI records for 6 years per 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

ESIGN consent:

Capture consumer consent before electronic delivery and signing.

21 CFR Part 11:

Use secure audit trails, unique IDs, and two components.

Policy review:

Review retention and access rules before each regulated rollout.

Risks of weak controls

Weak attribution

Document dispute

Missing audit trail

Evidence gap

HIPAA failure

Regulatory finding

Poor consent capture

Unenforceable record

Signer authentication:

Verify the signer with the chosen authentication method.

Timestamp capture:

Record UTC timestamps for each signing action.

Document hashing:

Generate a hash of the completed document.

Tamper sealing:

Apply a tamper-evident seal after signing.

Audit storage:

Store the event history with the signed file.

Trail export:

Export the audit trail for review or evidence.

	Plan / Feature	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc
Starting price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free trial	7-day trial	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified
Bulk send	Business Premium	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified
Audit trail	Included	Included	Included	Included	Included
HIPAA compliance	BAA required	Available	Available	Not verified	Not verified

Recommended	DocuSign	Adobe Acrobat Sign	Criteria
ESIGN and UETA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit trail	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA support	BAA available	BAA available	BAA available
Envelope cap	No cap	100/user/year	Not verified

FAQ and troubleshooting

These answers focus on plan limits, compliance needs, and signing issues that affect secure eSignature workflows in the U.S.

signNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, and mobile apps. If you need bulk send, the Business Premium plan adds it. For HIPAA workflows, a BAA is required, and the signed record should be retained for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

signNow supports ESIGN and UETA compliance for U.S. transactions. If a document needs stronger evidence, use signer authentication, timestamps, and the full audit trail. For healthcare records, HIPAA Security Rule controls and a BAA are part of the setup.

If a signer cannot complete the process on mobile, signNow supports iOS and Android signing through its apps and browser access. Mobile-created signatures are valid under ESIGN and UETA when intent, attribution, and record retention are preserved.

For regulated records, use the Enterprise or Site License options when you need advanced controls. Site License adds SSO, full API access, and HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11 add-ons, while Enterprise adds advanced signer authentication.

If an audit trail looks incomplete, confirm that the document was sent through signNow and not exported before completion. The audit trail should capture signer identity, timestamps, and document history, which helps support non-repudiation and court review.

For healthcare documents, signNow can support HIPAA workflows, but a BAA is still required. The record should also follow HIPAA retention rules and access controls, and the vendor’s security controls should align with the HIPAA Security Rule.

28M+Documents signed

13+Years in business

4.6/5Average G2 rating