E-signatures summed up
In the wake of digital transformation, sending electronic documents online has become a common practice. Often, these documents require signatures as a showcase of the agreement. This is achieved with the help of electronic signatures. They provide an efficient way to sign documents online, reducing paperwork and enabling more streamlined transactions.
In addition to easing the process, e-signatures also help protect documents with their enhanced security and authentication techniques. They outweigh handwritten signatures in various aspects, with security being the most significant. As a result, e-signatures are gaining popularity with businesses worldwide.
From seals to signatures: The digitisation of Egyptian businesses
Ancient Egypt, often hailed as the cradle of civilisation, transformed the way humans communicated. With a rich heritage that traces back to the time of hieroglyphics, Egypt's historical contributions to trustworthy and secure information exchange are reflected in today's communication methods. Electronic signatures, the digital descendants of ancient seals, are reshaping the way Egyptian businesses operate. They offer unparalleled efficiency and security, and their wide use stands as a testament to the country's digital advancement.
Zoho Sign, a digital signature platform, boosts productivity, reduces paperwork, and ensures the authenticity of documents. The adoption of Zoho Sign can help businesses achieve optimal performance by ticking crucial boxes, such as:
- Speed
- Productivity
- Authentication
- Security
- Remote access
- Improved user experience
- Cost-effectiveness
Essential use cases of e-signatures
E-signatures are prevalent across various sectors in Egypt, including:
- Education
- HR
- Healthcare and life sciences
- Banking and Finance
- Legal
- Technology
- Transport
- Insurance
E-signatures in Egypt: A legal breakdown
What is an Electronic Signature?
Used when signing a digital document, an electronic signature consists of letters, numbers, characters, signs, or other elements. These elements are unique and help identify the individual signing the document, distinguishing them from others.
Applicable legislations
- Regulating Electronic Signature (E-Signature) And Establishing The Information Technology (IT) Industry Development Authority, 2004 (ITIDA)
- Executive Regulations, 2020 ("the Regulations")
Types of e-signatures recognised
"Electronic Signature" is the only form of e-signature recognised by the e-signature laws of Egypt.
Criteria for legal admissibility of e-signatures
The Electronic Signature within the purview of civil, commercial, and administrative dealings meets the conclusiveness for signatures under the evidence law of Egypt if the following criteria are satisfied:
- The Electronic Signature must be exclusively linked with the signer.
- The signer should have sole control over the tool while affixing the electronic signature.
- Any modification to the contents of the electronic document or the electronic signature should be detectable.
What links an e-signature uniquely to a signer?
For an e-signature to be uniquely linked to a signer, it must satisfy the first condition and either one of the second or third conditions.
- The electronic signature creation data generation system must be secure. (The said system is considered to be secure if it meets the criteria under Articles 2, 3, and 5 of the Regulations).
- The signature must be linked to a valid electronic certification certificate issued by a licensed electronic certification body.
- The authenticity of the signature must be verified in accordance with Article 8 of the Regulations.
Egypt's certification framework
Below is an overview of the responsibilities of electronic certification bodies, and recognition of foreign electronic certification bodies under ITIDA.
Electronic certification bodies
The entities licensed to issue an electronic certification certificate and provide services related to Electronic Signatures.
Electronic certification certificate
The certificate that proves the link between the signatory and the signature creation data.
Accreditation of foreign electronic certification bodies:
ITIDA recognises foreign electronic certification bodies if any of the following conditions are met:
- The foreign entity meets all the conditions outlined for an electronic certification body in the Act
- Has an agent who is recognised by the Republic of Egypt to issue electronic certification certificates and fulfils all other pertinent requirements
- There is an applicable international agreement where the Republic of Egypt recognises the foreign entity to issue electronic certification certificates
- The foreign entity is recognised as a certification body by the appropriate authority in its home country
Document timestamping
An electronic timestamp is defined as one that is "placed on an electronic document and takes the form of letters, numbers, symbols, signs, etc., which links that data to a specific time to prove the existence of this electronic document at that time."
What are the requirements?
- The date and time should be linked in a way that any subsequent modifications can be tracked and identified.
- It must be based on an accurate chronological source approved by ITIDA.
- Any other requirements established, either by ITIDA or any of its recognised electronic certification bodies, following the technical specifications outlined in the Regulations' annex.
Zoho Sign partners with recognised timestamping authorities, GlobalSign and Seiko, to provide trusted digital timestamps for electronic transactions. These timestamps validate the authenticity of e-signatures and verify that the signed document existed in the given form at the time of signing and remains unaltered. This adds a robust layer of security to the signing process. By making signatures tamper-proof, digital timestamps enhance the reliability of signed documents for both legal and commercial purposes.
How can Zoho Sign be of service?
Zoho Sign offers A1 security to protect documents, empowering businesses to sign deals with confidence.
Reliable signer identification:
Zoho Sign offers various authentication methods, such as email authentication, SMS authentication, and dynamic knowledge-based authentication to ensure that the e-signature is uniquely identifiable.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA):
Multi-factor authentication acts as an additional security measure for user accounts. The initial authentication step will be through the Zoho Accounts login credentials. The subsequent step can be through different methods, such as Zoho OneAuth, mobile-based one-time password (OTP), time-based OTP, and Yubikey.
Audit trails:
Robust audit trails record all activities related to digital signing and keep track of all changes and work processes.
Encryption and security measures:
Zoho Sign implements a strong encryption protocol, the military-grade AES-256 algorithm at rest and the TLS/SSL standards in transit, to protect documents and data from a data breach.
Key takeaway
E-signatures are a pivotal catalyst for Egypt's digital transformation, driving efficiency and elevating the quality of public services. By streamlining operations and enabling seamless digital interactions, e-signatures are propelling Egypt into a competitive global digital landscape. Zoho Sign's array of robust features can help Egyptian citizens meet the requirements of present-day transactions with ease. Get your hands on Zoho Sign today!
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Disclaimer
The information provided in this document is for general informational purposes only and shall not be construed as legal, regulatory, or any other form of professional advice. Zoho Sign disclaims any liability for any error in the information provided herein. We recommend that you consult your legal counsel for any questions that you may have in this regard.