Securing E-Signatures With Audit Logs

Electronic signatures have revolutionized the way we sign, share, and manage documents — but with this convenience comes the need for robust security and legal assurance. Audit logs are the backbone of e-signature security, providing a transparent, tamper-evident record of every action taken on a document. In this guide, you'll discover how SignNow's audit logs not only protect your e-signatures from fraud and tampering but also ensure compliance and legal validity for every transaction. Whether you're a business owner, legal professional, or everyday user, understanding and leveraging audit logs is essential for safeguarding your digital agreements.

Understanding Audit Logs in SignNow

Audit logs in SignNow are comprehensive records that track every action performed on a document throughout its lifecycle. From the moment a document is uploaded, through each signature, view, or modification, the audit log captures critical details such as timestamps, user identities, IP addresses, and event types. This meticulous tracking ensures that every step in the signing process is documented, providing a transparent and immutable history that can be referenced at any time.

SignNow's audit logs are not just technical records — they are powerful tools for accountability, compliance, and peace of mind. By maintaining a detailed log of document activity, SignNow empowers users to verify authenticity, resolve disputes, and demonstrate compliance with industry regulations.

How Audit Logs Secure E-Signatures

Audit logs play a pivotal role in securing e-signatures by creating a digital chain of custody for every document. Each action — from sending and viewing to signing and completing — is logged with precise details, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized changes to go undetected.

For example, if a signer claims they never received or signed a document, the audit log provides irrefutable evidence of when the document was sent, accessed, and signed, including the device and location used. This level of transparency not only deters fraud but also strengthens the enforceability of e-signatures in legal and regulatory contexts.

Accessing and Viewing Audit Trails

SignNow makes it easy to access and review the full audit trail for any document. From your document management dashboard, simply select the document you wish to review, click the More menu, and choose History or Download with History. This opens a detailed modal window displaying all document events, including who performed each action, when it occurred, and from which IP address.



For a closer look, the audit trail modal provides a scrollable event log, document metadata, and sender/signer information. You can also download the document with its complete audit history attached, ensuring you always have a verifiable record for compliance or dispute resolution.

Key Information Captured in the Audit Log

A SignNow audit log is more than just a list of actions — it's a comprehensive record that captures all the essential details needed to verify and authenticate every step of the signing process. Key information includes:

• Event Type: Whether a document was created, viewed, signed, sent, or modified.
• User Identity: The email address or identifier of the person performing each action.
• Timestamps: Both server and client times for every event, ensuring accuracy and traceability.
• IP Addresses: The origin of each action, helping to verify location and detect suspicious activity.
• Client/Application: Whether the action was performed via web, mobile, or an integrated app.
• Notifications and Consent: Records of emails sent, signer consent, and authentication steps.

By capturing this level of detail, SignNow's audit logs provide a robust foundation for document security, legal compliance, and operational transparency.

Ensuring Legal Validity and Compliance

Audit logs are essential for meeting the legal requirements of electronic signatures under regulations like the UETA and ESIGN Act. These laws grant e-signatures the same legal standing as handwritten signatures — but only if the signing process is properly documented and secured.

SignNow's audit trails are fully court-admissible and compliant with UETA, ESIGN, and HIPAA standards. Each log provides a verifiable record of who signed, when, and how, along with cryptographic verification to detect any tampering. This means your signed documents are not only secure but also legally defensible in any dispute or audit.

Protecting Against Document Tampering and Fraud

Document and identity fraud are real risks in the digital world, but SignNow's audit logs provide powerful protection. By tracking every action and change, audit trails make it easy to detect unauthorized access, suspicious activity, or attempts to alter a document after signing.

SignNow also employs advanced cryptographic techniques and digital certificates to ensure that any modification to a signed document is immediately flagged. If a document is altered post-signature, the digital certificate is broken, alerting all parties to potential tampering. This level of security is crucial for industries handling sensitive information, such as healthcare, finance, and legal services.

With instant notifications and downloadable document histories, you can always verify the integrity of your documents and respond quickly to any security concerns.

Best Practices for Using Audit Logs

To maximize the security and legal value of your e-signatures, follow these best practices when using SignNow audit logs:

• Always review the audit trail before finalizing important agreements to ensure all actions are properly recorded and authorized.
• Download and archive documents with their full audit history for long-term compliance and dispute resolution.
• Enable instant notifications so you're alerted whenever a document is signed, viewed, or completed.
• Regularly monitor audit logs for unusual activity, such as unexpected IP addresses or unauthorized access attempts.
• Educate your team on the importance of audit trails and how to access them within SignNow.

By integrating these practices into your workflow, you can confidently protect your business, clients, and reputation from fraud and legal challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to secure your e-signatures and protect your business? SignNow's audit logs offer unmatched transparency, security, and legal assurance for every digital transaction.

Explore SignNow's features and choose the right plan for your needs by visiting our pricing page. Start safeguarding your documents today and experience the confidence that comes with complete auditability.

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