Example Of Digital Signature Algorithm for SignNow

Award-winning eSignature solution

What a digital signature algorithm does

A digital signature algorithm is a cryptographic method that proves who signed a document and whether the document changed after signing. It works by creating a unique signature from the document’s hash and the signer’s private key, then letting others verify it with the public key. In U.S. business use, this helps confirm intent, protect integrity, and support reliable recordkeeping for contracts, approvals, and regulated forms without relying on paper.

Why digital signatures matter

A digital signature algorithm reduces signing delays, improves document traceability, and supports enforceability under ESIGN and UETA when the signer’s intent and attribution are documented. It helps businesses move agreements faster while keeping a defensible record of who signed, when, and what was signed.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Common implementation issues

Weak authentication can make it harder to prove the signer’s identity and intent later.
Poor key management can expose private keys and undermine the trust in signed records.
Missing audit details can leave gaps in the signing history and weaken evidence.
Unsupported file changes after signing can break the signature and trigger verification errors.

Legal teams

Legal teams use it for contracts, approvals, and records that need clear signer attribution.

Regulated operations

Healthcare and finance teams use it for forms, consent records, and regulated disclosures.

People who benefit most

A director of NetSuite operations at Xerox can route approvals through connected systems, keep the right signature order, and preserve document history for internal controls and audit review. The workflow fits teams that need structured approvals across departments and systems without manual rework.
A founder at a real estate firm like Martin Properties can execute leases, disclosures, and related forms online while maintaining clear records for mobile and remote signing. This helps property teams reduce paper handling, support compliance, and keep transactions moving across office and field settings.

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Signer proof

Creates a verifiable record of signer identity, document state, and signing time, which helps support defensible business records and dispute review.

Tamper evidence

Uses cryptographic hashing to detect changes after signing, so altered files fail verification instead of passing as valid records.

Audit trail

Stores a detailed activity history that shows each step in the signing process, including views, clicks, and completion events.

Mobile signing

Works across desktop and mobile devices, which helps teams collect signatures without waiting for in-person meetings or printed forms.

Templates

Supports reusable templates for repeated agreements, reducing manual setup and helping teams send similar documents faster.

Compliance support

Fits regulated workflows by preserving records and controls needed for ESIGN, UETA, HIPAA, and 21 CFR Part 11 use cases.

Connected workflows and systems

Connected systems move signed documents into the tools teams already use, reducing duplicate entry and keeping records aligned across departments.

How the signature process works

The process follows a simple cryptographic sequence from document preparation to later verification.

Open document: The signer opens the document and reviews the content.
Create hash: The system hashes the file before signing.
Sign document: The private key creates the signature.
Verify signature: The public key verifies the signature later.

Quick signing steps

Use a short workflow to prepare, send, and store signed documents with less manual handling.

Upload file:
Upload the document you want signed.
Set recipients:
Add the signer and signing order.
Add fields:
Place signature fields and date fields.
Send request:
Send the document for signature.
Save copy:
Download the completed record after signing.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	SMS OTP with ID verification
Signature type	Advanced electronic signature
Audit trail	Immutable time-stamped log
Document retention	6 years for HIPAA records
Encryption	TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256

Platform and device support

Use current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge on Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android. Mobile signing also works through signNow apps, which helps teams review and sign documents on phones and tablets without changing the legal status of the signature.

Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Mobile apps signNow mobile apps on iOS and Android

For enterprise deployments, managed devices, SSO, and API access matter more than the browser alone. Regulated teams should also confirm encryption settings, retention rules, and any certificate or authentication requirements before rollout.

Security and compliance snapshot

Encryption in transit:

TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Encryption at rest:

AES-256 at rest

Security certification:

SOC 2 Type II available

Information security:

ISO 27001 certified

Healthcare compliance:

HIPAA support with BAA

Legal framework:

ESIGN and UETA aligned

Enterprise operations

A NetSuite operations leader needed signatures to move through the right approval path without manual follow-up.

Xerox used signNow with NetSuite integration.
Right documents reached the right approvers.

This kind of workflow helps teams keep approvals structured, reduce routing errors, and preserve a clear record of document handling across connected systems.

Real estate

A real estate founder needed online execution for mobile work, remote parties, and compliance-focused document handling.

Martin Properties processed documents online.
Mobile and offline signing stayed available.

The result is faster document turnaround with a clearer signing record, which matters when leases, disclosures, and related forms move between office and field use.

Best practices for reliable signing

A careful setup improves identity proof, record integrity, and later review without making the workflow harder to use.

Match authentication to risk

Use stronger authentication for contracts, regulated forms, and any record that may face later dispute review. SMS OTP, ID verification, or two-factor methods help tie the signature to a specific person and create a stronger evidentiary record.

Restrict key and access control

Keep private keys and access credentials tightly controlled. Limit who can create signatures, review signing settings, or export records, and use role-based access so only authorized staff can handle sensitive documents and signer data.

Keep complete signing records

Preserve the full audit trail with timestamps, signer details, and document history. Retain completed files in a controlled repository so the record stays available for internal review, legal review, or regulatory requests.

Align settings to regulation

Choose retention periods and encryption settings that fit the document type and legal framework. HIPAA records, for example, need 6 years of retention, while healthcare workflows also need BAA coverage and access controls.

FAQ and troubleshooting

These answers focus on signNow features, plan limits, and compliance requirements that affect signing, retention, and verification.

signNow supports ESIGN and UETA-aligned workflows, but enforceability still depends on intent, attribution, and record retention. Use the Business plan for core signing, or higher tiers when you need bulk send, advanced authentication, or enterprise controls.

For HIPAA workflows, signNow can be used with a BAA and the platform’s HIPAA support. Keep audit trails, unique user identification, and access controls in place, and retain signed records for 6 years under 45 CFR §164.530(j)(2).

If a signed PDF fails verification, check whether the file changed after signing. A tamper-evident signature depends on the original hash. Re-upload the original document, confirm the audit trail, and avoid editing the file after completion.

Bulk send is included in the Business Premium plan and above in signNow’s pricing structure. If you only have the Business plan, upgrade to access bulk sending, or use templates and individual sends instead.

For 21 CFR Part 11 use cases, use unique user IDs, two-component signatures, secure audit trails, and documented validation. signNow’s regulated workflows should be reviewed against your predicate rule and internal validation requirements before use.

If a signer cannot access the document on mobile, confirm browser support or use the signNow iOS or Android app. Mobile-created eSignatures remain valid under ESIGN and UETA when intent and attribution are preserved.

signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Acrobat Sign	Dropbox Sign
ESIGN and UETA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit trail	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA support	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope cap	No cap	100/user/year	Not verified

Day 1:

Set up the account, users, and signing roles.

Day 2:

Send the first document for signature.

Week 1:

Onboard the core team and review templates.

7-day trial:

signNow includes a 7-day free trial.

HIPAA retention:

Signed PHI records: 6 years per 45 CFR §164.530(j)(2).

Part 11 records:

Keep validated records under your predicate rule policy.

UETA coverage:

49 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands have adopted UETA.

Annual review:

Review access, retention, and authentication settings each year.

Risks of improper use

Signer attribution gaps

Weak evidence in disputes

Compliance failure

Rejected regulated records

Post-sign edits

Invalidated signature hash

Missing retention

Audit findings

Shared credentials

Access-control violations

Signer authentication:

Verifies the signer before the record is accepted.

Timestamp capture:

Captures UTC time for each signing event.

Document hashing:

Hashes the document before and after signing.

Tamper-evident sealing:

Locks the record with a tamper-evident seal.

Audit record:

Stores the event history with the signed file.

Retrieve and export:

Exports the trail for review or evidence.

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

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