Understanding Digital Signature and its Importance.
                     Understanding Digital 
Signature and its 
Importance
What is a digital signature?
• A digital signature a type of electronic signature is a mathematical algorithm 
routinely used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a message. 
Source: us-cert.cisa.gov
Virtual Fingerprint
• Digital signatures create a virtual fingerprint that is unique to a person or entity 
and are used to identify users and protect information in digital messages or 
documents.
Source: us-cert.cisa.gov
Why would you use a digital signature?
• Digital signatures increase the transparency of online interactions and develop 
trust between customers, business partners, and vendors.
Source: us-cert.cisa.gov
How do digital signatures work?
• Digital signatures, like handwritten signatures, are unique to each signer. Digital signature 
solution providers, such as DocuSign, follow a specific protocol, called PKI. 
• PKI requires the provider to use a mathematical algorithm to generate two long numbers, 
called keys. One key is public, and one key is private.
Source: www.docusign.com
IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL SIGNATURES
Personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords and codes
• Used to authenticate and verify a signer's identity and approve their signature. Email, 
username and password are the most common methods used.
Source: searchsecurity.techtarget.com
Asymmetric cryptography
• Employs a public key algorithm that includes private and public key encryption and 
authentication.
Source: searchsecurity.techtarget.com
Time savings
• Digital signatures simplify the time-consuming processes of physical document signing, 
storage and exchange, enabling businesses to quickly access and sign documents.
Source: searchsecurity.techtarget.com
Timestamping
• By providing the data and time of a digital signature, timestamping is useful when timing is 
critical, such as for stock trades, lottery ticket issuance and legal proceedings.
Source: searchsecurity.techtarget.com
Traceability
• Digital signatures create an audit trail that makes internal record-keeping easier for business. 
With everything recorded and stored digitally, there are fewer opportunities for a manual 
signee or record-keeper to make a mistake or misplace something.
Source: searchsecurity.techtarget.com