Strengthening Identity Verification Online

In the physical world, sending a document by post is largely a “faith-based” exercise. You mail a contract to an address shared by a family or an entire office, hoping the right person opens it and signs it.

Digital signing already improves this by using personal email addresses, but for high-stakes documents, email alone may not be enough. In this installment of our series on the new Secured Signing, we explore how Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) provides the ultimate peace of mind.

Why Email Alone Isn’t Always Enough

While an email address is more personal than a physical mailbox, accounts can still be compromised or shared. To reach the highest level of legal “non-repudiation,” you need a second layer of proof.

The Shift to Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

By adding a second form of identity confirmation, you move from “something the signer knows” (their email password) to “something the signer has” (their mobile phone). This is the same gold standard used by online banking systems to secure multi-million dollar transactions.

The TFN Declaration: A Catalyst for Stronger Security

The demand for higher security often comes from the strictest regulatory bodies. As part of our project to deliver an online Tax File Number (TFN) Declaration for the Australian Tax Office (ATO), a second form of identity verification was a mandatory requirement.

To meet this standard, Secured Signing integrated SMS verification into the signing workflow. We are now pleased to offer this Two-Factor Authentication as a standard feature in “We Sign,” allowing every business to utilize government-grade security for their own contracts.

How to Enable SMS Verification in Your Workflow

Adding this layer of security is simple and can be toggled on a per-document or per-invitee basis.

1. Enable SMS in Your Account

To get started, log in to your My Account area within Secured Signing and enable the SMS option.

2. Configure Your Invitation

The next time you prepare a document for signing:

• Each invitee will have a checkbox to enable SMS Verification.

• Once ticked, you will be prompted to enter that person’s mobile phone number.

3. The Signer’s Experience

When your invitee clicks the link in their email to sign, the process is seamless:

1. A unique code is instantly sent to their mobile device via SMS.

2. The invitee enters the code into the Secured Signing interface.

3. Only after the code is verified can they view and sign the document.

Conclusion: Double the Confidence, Zero the Risk

Using SMS as a second form of identity confirmation ensures that the person you invited is, beyond a reasonable doubt, the person who signs. Whether you are handling sensitive financial declarations or high-value real estate contracts, 2FA provides the extra layer of protection your business needs.