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Document Fingerprint Definition and Examples

Understanding Document Fingerprint for e-Signing

When it comes to ensuring the integrity and authenticity of digital documents, the term "Document Fingerprint" is becoming increasingly important. In the world of eSigning, a Document Fingerprint plays a pivotal role in verifying that a document has not been tampered with after it was signed.

What is a Document Fingerprint?

A Document Fingerprint is a unique identifier generated by applying a cryptographic hash function to the content of a document. Think of it as a digital fingerprint; just as no two human fingerprints are alike, no two documents (even with a slight change in their content) will produce the same cryptographic hash. This hash function processes the content of the document and outputs a fixed-length string of characters, which serves as the document's fingerprint.

Examples of Document Fingerprint in Action

1. Verifying Document Integrity:

When a document is signed using an eSignature platform like GoodSign, the platform generates a fingerprint of the document at the time of signing. Later, if someone attempts to verify the document, the same hash function is applied to the file. If the newly generated fingerprint matches the original, the document is confirmed as untampered.

2. Legal Compliance:

In legally-sensitive contexts, maintaining the integrity of documents is crucial. A document fingerprint can provide irrefutable proof that a document has remained unchanged since the point of signing, which can be essential during audits or legal disputes.

3. Secure Storage and Retrieval:

When storing documents in a digital archive, each document can be indexed by its fingerprint. This ensures easy retrieval and adds an additional layer of security, as the integrity of any retrieved document can be instantly verified.

Benefits of Using Document Fingerprints in e-Signing

  1. Enhanced Security: The cryptographic nature of the fingerprint ensures that any alteration, however minute, can be detected.

  2. Cost-effective Verification: Document Fingerprinting does not require complex infrastructure. It leverages efficient, standard cryptographic algorithms to deliver high security at a minimal cost.

  3. Streamlined Compliance: The ability to prove document integrity with a fingerprint ensures easier compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties.

GoodSign's pay-per-use model, charging only $1.50 per envelope sent, makes advanced features like Document Fingerprinting accessible without the hefty subscription fees typical of other platforms. By integrating robust security measures without gating features by plans, GoodSign offers flexibility and reliability for all your e-signature needs.

In conclusion, understanding and implementing Document Fingerprints can elevate the security and integrity of your e-signed documents, providing peace of mind and legal assurance with every transaction.

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