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1. Blockchain - The Future of Digital Signatures
Blockchain - The Future of Digital Signatures - DrySign by
Exela
Digital signatures are steadily replacing the conventional methods of signing
documents. Over the past few years, E-signatures have become more secure with the
adoption of different types of cryptography, i.e., binding a person to digital data and
providing verification of the same. Digital signatures provide integrity, non-
repudiation, and authentication to access the contents of a data set codes digitally
across networks. These signatures are created using an algorithm that produces a
'hash' using information from the contents of the message and is stored in the key.
Blockchain uses the idea of codes or hash for signatures, which is exactly like a
fingerprint for every block.
Digital signatures offer an additional layer of security to users and in turn, businesses.
They provide authenticity of the data and complete protection against forgery for safer
use of online certificates with the help of complex mathematical algorithms or codes.
Blockchain technology enters this cyber ecosystem by adding on the business ledger
aspect, allowing businesses or users to create multiple signatures, encrypted
fingerprints, and share coding information across various systems in a network of a
centralized server.
Evolution of Digital signatures
A lot of people wrongly believe that electronic signature technology has recently
arrived in the cybersphere. However, the truth is that digital signatures have been
present for decades in our cyber ecosystem. Do you know where the idea of digital
signatures came from and how its journey evolved? It all started back in 1976 when

2. Blockchain - The Future of Digital Signatures
Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman, two cryptography pioneers, first described the
notion of a digital signature scheme.
1977: RSA algorithm was invented by Ronald Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Len Adleman.
Also, Italy and Germany were amongst the first countries to issue a digital signature
law.
1999: Digital signatures were embedded into documents in PDF format, came with
encryption and were registered with ETSI.
2000: The ESIGN Act made digital signatures legally binding in the United States.
2008: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) adopted PDF file format
as an open standard in its ISO 32000 specifications, which included digital signatures
as an integral part.
Over the years, digital signatures have become increasingly secure by adding various
types of information codes to the key. These additions have been crucial, being an
extra security layer in compliance with eIDAS requirements.
Digital Signatures are not limited to specific documents and files. They are more
practical if they are visualized and validated thoroughly. We have many signature
solutions in the present era that isolate the signature or embed the digital signature
into the documents.
Also Read: Industries Integrating E-signatures to their Modern Arsenal of
Technologies
What is the role of Blockchain in e-Signature?
In the digital world, the word ‘Blockchain’ keeps popping up as an essential feature in
digital signatures. Blockchain is a specific type of database that makes the history of
any digital asset unalterable and transparent through decentralization and
cryptographic hashing. It works on the concept of ‘proof-of-work’, best known for
securing financial transactions and powering new cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
They provide the three following features:
 Authentication: Electronic signatures adhere to a specific user via a private key.
In this, they identify the owner of the private key used to sign the source data in
an email or a document.
 Integrity: Digital signatures use an innovative hashing algorithm every time, to
ensure that the message received is not forged.

3. Blockchain - The Future of Digital Signatures
 Non-Repudiation: This feature is unique and ensures that a sender who has
signed the source information cannot deny it later after having signed it.
Here, the transactions made once cannot be edited or deleted, enabling fully secure
online dealing. Blockchain is a novel technology that reduces risk, stamps out fraud,
and brings clarity to your processes in a scalable way.
How do electronic signatures in blockchain work?
Blockchain is known to make the e-signing process very secure and stable. Let us see
how:
Blockchain creates ‘hashes’ that are numerical codes used to identify pieces of
information. These hash codes can be cross-checked and verified with the hash
numbers present in another document. If the hash codes match, it indicates that the
document is identical, and one can proceed with the transaction securely. The hash
code is uniquely specified for every piece of information.
As soon as the hash code is generated, it sends the data and the digital signature to the
assigned person. When the receiver receives the information, he enters the sender’s
public key and e-signature, which is then forwarded into the algorithm. This process
creates a hash number with a specific code. Then, to verify the documents, the receiver
checks the hash code of the original document again and matches it with the numeric
code received. If the hash number codes are the same, the digital signature is
considered valid; otherwise, it is recognized as fake or fraudulent.
Electronic signatures offer key advantages of storing and transferring data in the
blockchain. A hacker can alter information without the owner of the document even
realizing that the document has been tampered with. However, if this does happen,
the signature would become invalid by default. Hence, digitally signed data is
encrypted and has a digital trail that can never be tampered with, thus cementing its
incorruptibility.
Why is blockchain technology incorporated into Digital Signatures?
Blockchain technology includes cryptography, allowing users to e-sign online with the
highest data security. Here's why we consider Blockchain as the best choice for e-
signatures:
 Blockchain technology allows your signature to represent you as a digital
identity.

4. Blockchain - The Future of Digital Signatures
 Signers can use their private key (encryption) to sign online legal contracts. Thus
the parties involved can present digital signatures as evidence.
 Business users can perform multiple actions in a sequence on a blockchain.
 Blockchain technology adds another layer of security and blocks tampering and
alteration of information.
 It is easy to trace and track the documents sent for signatures – keep track of
who has signed and whose signature is pending to complete the documentation
process.
 Online signatures can also be applied in offline mode.
 This evolving technology assists in the verification of alter-proof documents.
 Signature and verification are separate processes that do not rely on a central
authority.
 Every user has proof that specific information existed at a particular point in
time, as every entry in the blockchain is immutable.
Conclusion
Blockchain technology represents the future of digital signatures and is widely adopted
and incorporated into the digital world. Using this technology for e-signing sensitive
data under an additional level of cryptographic ‘hash’ can provide businesses with
peace of mind.
If your business wants to digitally seal documents using blockchain technology
especially in this COVID-19 scenario, it’s time to opt for DrySign- a user-friendly
platform, for more transparency and authenticity.
DrySign not only enables you to scale up your operational efficiency but also helps you
create smooth, hassle-free experiences for your clients and employees. Step into a
smart, secure, paperless future with digital signatures. Want to know more?
Sources: cygnature.io | cmswire.com | cryptomathic.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for general information purposes only
and is not intended to serve as legal advice. Laws governing the subject matter may
change quickly, and Exela cannot guarantee that all the information on this site is

5. Blockchain - The Future of Digital Signatures
current or correct. Should you have specific legal questions about any of the
information on this site, you should consult with a licensed attorney in your area.
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