The Online Digital Signature Way

4 May, 2012

A recent article (22 April, 2012) by Brandon Bailey discussed the 2011 performance of businesses in Silicon Valley. Not surprisingly, Apple led the 150 large companies with $128 billion in annual sales, and astonishingly, nearly $33 billion profit. However, the picture across the board revealed mixed results, particularly when compared to 2010 figures. Slow financial recovery in the US, economic chaos in Europe, and Asia’s natural disasters, are all legitimate contributors according to Bailey. Nevertheless, there are a few exceptions that mainly come from “related trends- such as the explosive growth of social networking, cloud computing, and big data.”    

Any conclusion? While keeping in mind the ever-changing scenario of technological trends, it is obviously best to be on the side of current proven winning technology, whether as a manufacturer, consumer, or user. A recent KPMG report on the impact of cloud computing in Australia states: “it is clear from KPMG’s analysis that, should Australian organisations adopt cloud platforms as expected across their ICT requirements – as more mature markets such as the US suggest is likely – then the benefits at both the enterprise and aggregate economy level could be substantial.”  It continues to say:  “These include lowering ICT operation and capital expenditure by up to 25 percent and 50 percent respectively.” (The Australian, 2 May, 2012)

Whilst a conservative approach for handling budget and expenses would always require a careful review (of both), and a ‘stick to budget’ attitude, the ‘upgrade your technology’ rule should never be neglected, especially in the current business environment. Secured Signing’s digital signature cloud-based solution is no exception; businesses that choose to sign documents online with the Secured Signing service eliminate the printing, scanning, document storage, delivery, and handling of paper all together. Implementing eSignature service saves time, cuts operational and processing costs, expedites the entire business workflow, and frees up staff, budget, and other resources for their core business.

Sophie Beers, Yarra Ranges Council’s Procurement Officer concluded her exceptionally positive experience with the advanced electronic signature solution: “Time frames for signature on Evaluation Reports and Contracts have reduced from 1-2 weeks to a matter of an afternoon. Cost and time saving is literally immeasurable, and has paved the way for us to move wholly into paperless office.” 

I rest my case.

Till next time,

Cheers, John. 

27 January, 2012

Receiving my daily online newsletters (yes, in plural) always carries a feeling of excitement mixed with curiosity and anticipation. Very rarely am I disappointed; however, today’s blog is not about praising these publications or encouraging others to join me in this somewhat addictive practice, it’s about their actual subject matter. Since the end of last year, I and my fellow readers are increasingly ‘bombarded’ with news / developments / predictions about Cloud Computing-related issues, and there are very good reasons for that.

According to a latest independent research by Vanson Bourne in the UK (Nov 2011, for BT Engage IT), 70% of 100 CIO’s of enterprises (with 1000+ employees) surveyed said Cloud Computing had a major positive impact on their business in 2011.  John Thornhill, CEO at BT Engage IT, defined the findings perfectly: “the industry has been talking about them for a number of years – and they’ve become business, rather than just technology terms.”

The implementation of signing documents in the Cloud firmly reflects the impact of technology’s promise and affects markets in different industries. The Digital Signature cloud service delivers tangible results for businesses with shrinking budgets in IT departments; it saves capital expenditure, expedites business processes, boosts productivity and efficiency, and improves customer service. It also provides protection against fraud and eliminates the common cloud security concerns with its user-based PKI digital signature technology.

And the cherry on top? It complies with e-signature laws worldwide (ESIGN, UETA, UECA, and ETA in Australia, UK, South Africa, New Zealand, China, and many more), and is valid and legally enforceable as an equivalent to a signed paper contract.

Till next time,

Cheers, John 

September 2, 2011

You will rightly ask if I’m sure about the connection shown above. Well, I couldn’t be more certain, and you will be as well (plus maybe thankful) when you finish reading this week’s blog.

“The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is ‘What does a woman want’?” (Sigmund Freud, Ernest Jones’ Sigmund Freud: Life and Work)

A lot has been written, spoken, and sung about what women want since Freud’s era. And he’s not the only one who has been unsure about this fundamental question. Half the human race isn’t sure.

I dare to say that the key lies with the qualities of digital signatures. How? Here may be the much desired answer:

Proof of identity – Women want to feel safe and trust the person they are sharing their time / life with. They want to know that ‘what they see – is what they get’ without any unexpected/ undisclosed surprises (lover, child, gambling habit, diseases, etc.).

In a similar way, the user-based PKI digital signature solution creates an exclusive digital certificate for the signatory using a cryptographic key that eliminates the possibility to change or duplicate a signature. Every signature is uniquely linked to the signatory and document by using the signatory’s Private Key.

Data integrity – Women want to know you are truthful with what you say (not just trying to please them) and the way you behave (when you are alone or next to your mother). They are very sensitive to any nuance and change in voice or use of words.

A user-based digital signature ensures non-forgeable signatures. The signed document is sealed with the signatory’s trusted PKI key, and any changes made to the document or signatures are detectable.

Affirmative intent – Women want you to be transparent about your intent in the relationship (even when it’s not exactly ‘good news’). Don’t deceive. Be genuine, think for the long-term, and you will be very much appreciated.         

A user-based PKI digital signature adequately indicates the signatory’s sole custody and approval of the information to which the signature relates. The encrypted electronic signature authenticates signatures and documents as genuine, and therefore, makes the signing of documents online secure, efficient, and fast.            

My conclusion? The above information provides the recipient (whether it is a woman or a Secured Signing PKI digital signature service user) with the important assurance they are dealing with a trusted, reliable, and verified Real Thing!

Till next time,

Cheers, John

July 21, 2011

Ever wondered if it’s legally binding to sign your business documents online?

A brief history first. Early Roman law recognised the amalgamation of seals and signatures as a principal for the authentication and legality of documents. Centuries later (mid-nineteenth century), the Morse Code and telegraph were recognised as the first legal ‘electronic’ signatures. The following century (1976) saw Whitfield Diffie and Martin E. Hellman lead the way to implement the legal equivalent to a written signature using cryptographic method; and then in 1996, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law published the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce with Guide to Enactment that influenced the development of electronic signature laws internationally.  

Since that time, around the world, different laws have been passed that guarantee the legal authority and enforcement of electronic signatures: Uniform Electronic Transactions Acts (UETA), Electronic Signatures In Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN), FDA 21CFR Part 11, EU Directive for Electronic Signatures, Electronic Transactions Acts in different countries, and many others.

The legal specification for a signature is fulfilled by means of an electronic signature if the signature:

• Appropriately identifies the signatory
• Appropriately indicates the signatory’s authorisation of the information to which the signature relates; and (Intent)
• Is as reliable as is appropriate given the occurrence

An electronic signature is adequately reliable if the means of creating the signature is connected to the person who signs the document, is under their control and no one else’s, and if the system can detect any changes made to the document and signature.

It is imperative to highlight that although the term used in all acts is ‘electronic signature’, the ‘digital signature’ is a sub group within electronic signatures that uses Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) — the only technology that ensures non-forgeable signatures. Secured Signing’s user-based PKI digital signature application provides the highest form of digital signature, and content that guarantees signer authenticity, data integrity, and non-repudiation of signed documents and transactions. If the document is altered, signatures immediately become invalid. 

“We are confident that the systems used by Secured Signing ensure that the electronic signatures produced meet the legal requirements for a signature. In fact, the security and logging facility, in our view, provides better authenticity than many of the methods by which documents are now commonly signed and exchanged (e.g. e-mail and facsimile). So, unless there are specific laws dictating that a document can only be signed in a particular way (as far as we are aware, the only common law which does this relates to wills), any form of contract can be signed using the Secured Signing System.” Rick Shera / Angela Beros , Partner / Solicitor, LOWNDES JORDAN, Barristers & Solicitors

Till next time,

Cheers, John

June 28, 2011

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skilful execution; it represents the wise choice from many alternatives.” William A Foster 

The above is true whether we are describing the quality or performance of a leading digital signature service, the latest elite car design, or the flagship model of a bike. It is all about the reality we offer to our customers!

Measurement of technical performance of a service or product could include different factors. In today’s discussion, I choose to focus on the following qualities:       

Accuracy – to ensure that information provided to customers is appropriate and correct. The digital signature service provides clear and accurate documentation to its customers, and the user-based PKI technology certifies signatory’s authenticity and data integrity.

Availability – the probability that the service will be accessible and functioning at all times. A user can access the digital signature service from anywhere in the world, at any time. They can sign and invite others to sign, add documents, create signing workflow, view and monitor the signing process, and verify archived signed documents either offline on their desktop, or regularly online at the free Verification Service.       

Efficiency – the service requires less input to produce more output. Signing documents online stops the Print – Sign – Scan – Deliver – Storage process. It saves time, cuts operational costs, reduces the contract signing process from days to seconds, increases customer satisfaction, and frees staff, budget, and other resources for the core business.      

Latency – the amount of time it takes to respond to a given input. The registration and actual signing process of a document takes seconds. The Broadcasting feature (send to mass invitee list using xls, xlsx, or csv file format), and the multi-page signing feature are examples of the innovative technical components that allow the signing of hundreds of pages, or an invitation to even hundreds of people to sign with just the click of a mouse.       

Back to my title, the performance evaluations below could equally apply to any of the three that are mentioned as they refer to the same levels of quality and satisfaction:

“It provides a combination of performance, comfort, and everyday drivability that would have seemed impossible 10 years ago.”

Michael Austin, review of 2012 Ferrari FF, Car and Driver Magazine, June 2011     

“A desire to come back to that same bike each day will depend on the post-ride experience. ‘I felt fresh’ means you are likely to follow your programme and not skip days because you are exhausted from a bike which doesn’t match your needs. ..the biggest performance gains are not purchased in a store but products can help get you on the road, to the place where they’re earned.”

Alex Malone, review of Arctec R, Ride Cycling Review, June 2011

Till next time,

Cheers, John