Be Sure Who is Signing your Document Online Posted on April 15, 2015 - 3:25 pm by John Webster Strengthening Identity Verification OnlineIn 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 EnoughWhile 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 SecurityThe 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 WorkflowAdding this layer of security is simple and can be toggled on a per-document or per-invitee basis.1. Enable SMS in Your AccountTo get started, log in to your My Account area within Secured Signing and enable the SMS option.2. Configure Your InvitationThe 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 ExperienceWhen your invitee clicks the link in their email to sign, the process is seamless:A unique code is instantly sent to their mobile device via SMS.The invitee enters the code into the Secured Signing interface.Only after the code is verified can they view and sign the document.Conclusion: Double the Confidence, Zero the RiskUsing 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.
E-Notarization delivers Convenience and Security Posted on March 25, 2015 - 8:41 pm by John Webster Notary Public, Don Thomas collaborates with local digital signature provider for digital certification.Public Notaries will soon be recognizing the value of providing digitally certified, electronic copies of documents to their customers if New Zealand Lawyer and Notary Public Don Thomas has his way. Early adopters like Don Thomas see the advantage of giving their customers the convenience of an electronic document, that can be sent quickly and easily anywhere in the world, combined with the security of digital certification. “I am convinced we need to be offering e-notarization services,” said Mr. Thomas.People turn to Notaries at important points in their lives like applying for student or work visas. Supplying the correct documents that have been certified as true copies, is crucial in securing a positive outcome for their application. Seen from this perspective, a routine legal procedure is actually something that helps people to realise opportunities that can shape the rest of their lives.One of Mr. Thomas’s first successes with e-notarisation was assisting a student renew her visa by witnessing applications to a New York University and to the US examination board for an alternative identification number. The ability to offer an electronic copy of these documents that was digitally certified, meant these documents could be supplied by email, avoiding the need to post paper copies half way around the world.Initially Mr. Thomas volunteered digitally certified documents in conjunction with hard copies. Within a few months though he found people were seeking him out on the basis of being able to provide e-notarisation services. In December last year, he was able to deliver a certified document for a Merrill Lynch USA client without any hard copy ‘backup’. His experience of the acceptance of digitally certified documents by both customers and recipients has been positive.Mr. Thomas uses Secured Signing to “sign and seal” documents as a Notary. “To me, the advantage of using Secured Signing is they provide an easy to use facility at a cost that is affordable, as you only pay for what you use,” said Mr. Thomas. “Also, being locally based, they have been working with me to deliver a solution that specifically meets the needs of Australian and New Zealand Notaries.”As Notaries consider adding e-notarization to the capabilities they offer, it is important not to confuse digital certification with the many methods available to insert simple electronic signatures or images of signatures into a document. Digital signatures provide strong methods validate the identity of the signatory and to detect any alterations or additions to, or deletions from, the signed document. This security is further extended with the certification part of the digital signature standard also ‘sealing’ or ‘locking’ the document.Don Thomas is eager to see all Notaries setting themselves up to be able to offer e-notarization services. “People will not know the service exists if we are not setup to promote and develop the awareness of it,” he encourages his fellow Notaries.Public Notaries willing to take up the challenge are welcome to contact Don directly. Those new to the convenience and security of digital signing can sign up for a Notary Account and give Secured Signing a try.About Don ThomasDon Thomas is the Principal of Thomas & Co, a law practice based in West Auckland, New Zealand. Thomas & Co is a well established law practice that commenced business in 1966. Don was appointed a Notary Public in 1978. His legal career has been typified by constantly seeking to adopt new technologies and systems into his legal practice. He is an early adopter/originator of concepts including electronic files (paperless office), inter center Document Exchange, law office word processing and settlement by facsimile.For more information please visit: www.thomas.co.nzAbout Secured SigningSecured Signing provides a comprehensive and secure SaaS digital signature service that delivers a full range of form completion and eSigning capabilities combining advanced personalized X509 PKI Digital Signature technology with easy-to-use, simple-to-deploy, compliant solutions. Secured Signing enables its users to utilise smartphones, PCs, any tablet device and any browser, to capture their graphical signature, fill-in, sign, seal and verify documents anywhere, anytime. The solution streamlines business processes, cuts back on expenses, expedites delivery cycles, improves staff efficiency and enhances customer service in a green environment.For more information please visit: www.securedsigning.co.nzPress Contact:David SchulzSecured SigningPhone AUS: 1800 305 175Phone NZ: 0800 55 33 66E-mail: david@securedsigning.com
Digital Signature for Recruitment Completes the Paperless Solution for Hiring Staff Posted on July 28, 2011 - 8:41 pm by John Webster Secured Signing’s service enables recruitment agencies and their clients to digitally sign employment forms online, and experience the benefits of a timely, efficient, and compliant process. Secured Signing, the provider of user-based, PKI digital signature, cloud-based service, today announced the release of an innovative solution for recruitment companies that expedites, simplifies, and automates their hiring process.At present, recruitment agencies hand over enrolment documents and employment contracts by e-mail, fax, or mail requesting new candidates to sign, scan, and send back by fax, e-mail, or by post. The document turn-around combined lengthy practices that delay applicant’s response time and cause interruptions for employers who need to fill the position promptly. This action becomes even more disruptive when employers are seeking to urgently hire temp staff or contractors.Secured Signing’s customized forms for candidate application and contract offer an incomparable solution that enables consultants and their clients to easily and promptly sign and deliver documents. A business process that previously took few days or weeks is done with Secured Signing in a few minutes! The competitive, state-of-the-art electronic signing form provides an instant, low cost, and effective legally binding response that improves customer service and satisfies candidates and employers’ short- and long-term requirements.“Secured Signing’s design for recruitment provides a powerful turnkey solution that eliminates the paper trail and enables recruitment agencies of all sizes to optimize their recruitment process in a secure online environment,” said Mike Eyal, Managing Director at Secured Signing. “Secured Signing’s unique electronic signature approach offers obvious benefits to all parties involved and demonstrates the capabilities of our world class online signing service.”About Secured SigningSecured Signing provides a comprehensive and secure, web-based, digital signature service that delivers a full range of signing capabilities combining advanced user-based PKI technology, and an easy-to-use, simple-to-deploy, compliant solution. Secured Signing enables its users to capture their graphical signature, sign and seal documents, and verify them anywhere, anytime, on their desktop. The Green technology saves paper and storage space while cutting back on power consumption and dependence on carbon-producing services.For more information please visit www.securedsigning.com