Digital signatures are an electronic, encrypted form of authentication that can be used to verify the identity of the sender of a message or the signer of a contract, and to ensure that the original content of the message or contract has not been altered in any way.
One of the key ways in which digital signatures ensure that a contract has not been altered is by using encryption to protect the integrity of the signed contract. When a contract is signed with a digital signature, the signature is encrypted and added to the contract in a way that ensures that the contract cannot be altered without the signature being invalidated.
Here are some specific ways in which digital signatures ensure that a contract has not been altered:
Protect the integrity of your signed contract
Digital signatures use cryptographic hashing to protect the integrity of the signed contract. Cryptographic hashing is a process that uses a mathematical algorithm to generate a unique, fixed-size string of characters (known as a "hash") from a digital contract. This hash is used to verify the integrity of the contract, as any change to the contract (no matter how small) will result in a different hash being generated. When a contract is signed with a digital signature, the hash of the contract is included as part of the signature. If the contract is altered in any way, the hash will be different, and the signature will be invalidated.
The digital certificate
Digital signatures use digital certificates to verify the identity of the signer. A digital certificate is an electronic document that is issued by a trusted third party (known as a "certificate authority") and that is used to verify the identity of the signer. The certificate includes information about the signer (such as their name and email address), as well as a digital signature that is used to verify the identity of the certificate authority. When a contract is signed with a digital signature, the digital certificate is included as part of the signature. This ensures that the signature is authentic and has not been altered in any way.
A public key infrastructure (PKI)
Digital signatures use public key infrastructure (PKI) to secure the signing process. Public key infrastructure (PKI) is a system that uses a combination of public and private keys to secure the transmission of information. In the context of digital signatures, the signer generates a pair of keys (a public key and a private key) and uses the private key to sign the contract. The public key is then used to verify the signature, ensuring that it is authentic and has not been altered. This provides a high level of security and ensures that the contract has not been altered.
Conclusion
In conclusion, digital signatures ensure that a contract has not been altered by using cryptographic hashing, digital certificates, and public key infrastructure to protect the integrity of the signed document. By using digital signatures, organizations can ensure that their contracts are accurate and up-to-date, and that they have not been tampered with in any way.
written by
Rob Postma
Mochadocs Customer Success
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