E-signatures are now part of your security posture. In 2026, most organizations sign contracts, approvals, onboarding packets, and financial documents electronically.
That increases exposure to account takeover, identity theft, document tampering, and audit gaps—especially when teams rely on weak methods like a pasted signature image or email-only approval.
This guide explains what cybersecurity teams should require from e-signature solutions, how digital signatures differ from basic electronic signatures, and how 10 specific platforms compare for security and compliance needs.
What is an electronic signature in cybersecurity?
An electronic signature is “an electronic sound, symbol, or process” attached to a contract or record and executed with the intent to sign.
From a cybersecurity view, it’s a high-value approval event that must be protected with identity controls, an audit trail, and clear evidence for disputes, investigations, or audits.
What is a digital signature, and why does it matter for document integrity?
A digital signature uses cryptography (often public key infrastructure) with public and private keys to authenticate the signer and detect changes to signed data.
If someone alters a digitally signed document after signing, verification fails, protecting document integrity and authenticity.
What security measures should e-signature solutions include in 2026?
Baseline controls most organizations need
· Strong authentication process: SSO and MFA where possible
· Role-based access control for document management
· Audit trail with timestamps and key events (sent, viewed, signed)
· Tamper-evident sealing for signed files
· Encryption in transit and at rest
· Retention and export options for audits and eDiscovery
Higher assurance controls for high-risk workflows
· Identity verification matched to risk
· PKI support and digital certificates for higher assurance signing
· Evidence quality: certificate of completion, signer identifiers, and time stamps
Which e-signature solutions are best for cybersecurity in 2026?
| Solution | Key Cybersecurity Strengths (High Level) | Standalone e-Sign? | Starting Price | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pdfFiller | PDF signature and editing capabilities; role-based workflows; password protection options | Yes (part of suite) | $8/mo (Basic); $12/mo (Plus); $15/mo (Premium) | Yes — 30 days |
| DocuSign | Mature signing workflows, audit trail, strong admin controls (varies by plan) | Yes | $10/mo (Personal); $25/user/mo (Standard); $40/user/mo (Business Pro) | Yes — 30 days |
| Adobe Acrobat Sign | PDF security controls + e-signature workflows in Acrobat plans | No (bundled with PDF plans) | US$14.99/license/mo (Acrobat Standard for teams); US$22.19/license/mo (Acrobat Pro for teams) | Yes — 14 days |
| Dropbox Sign | Simple signing flows, templates, audit trail; admin options on higher tiers | Yes | $15/mo (Essentials); $25/user/mo (Standard) | Yes — 30 days |
| OneSpan Sign | Enterprise-focused controls (incl. advanced/qualified e-signature options); strong compliance positioning | Yes | $22/user/mo (Professional) | Yes |
| Entrust | Strong identity + trust positioning (PKI/digital signing); suited to regulated workflows | Yes (solution line) | Certificate subscription pricing (varies by reseller and cert type) | Yes |
| DigiCert | Publicly trusted document signing certificates; certificate-based approach for authenticity and integrity | Yes (certificates) | Certificate subscription pricing (varies by reseller and cert type) | Requires certificate purchase |
| GlobalSign | Hardware-backed certificate storage on FIPS-compliant tokens; timestamping included | Yes (certificates) | $249/year and up | Contact vendor |
| PandaDoc | Document automation + signing; supports structured templates and approvals | No (doc automation suite) | Free; $19/seat/mo (Starter); $49/seat/mo (Business) | Yes — 14 days |
| Signeasy | Two-factor authentication (2FA) and SSO support on higher tiers; RBAC and tamper detection | Yes | $10/month (Personal); $20/seat/month (Business); $30/seat/month (Business Pro) | Yes |
10 Best E-Signature Solutions for Cybersecurity in 2026
1. pdfFiller
2. Docusign
3. Adobe Acrobat Sign
4. Dropbox Sign
5. OneSpan Sign
6. Entrust
7. DigiCert
8. GlobalSign
9. PandaDoc
10. Signeasy
1. pdfFiller
pdfFiller is an all-in-one document management solution that combines PDF editing, form workflows, and electronic signature capabilities. It positions enterprise security around SOC 2 Type II with features like SSO and audit trail support.
Key features: SSO support, audit trail, SOC 2 Type II positioning, document workflow coverage, 30-day trial
2. DocuSign
DocuSign publishes SOC 1 Type II and SOC 2 Type II certifications and documents security features including MFA and digital audit trail.
Key features: Published compliance certifications, multi-factor authentication options, digital audit trail, 30-day free trial
3. Adobe Acrobat Sign
Adobe provides compliance documentation describing SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and security practices including monitoring and MFA options.
Key features: SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS references, technical overview with MFA options, central Trust Center
4. Dropbox Sign
Dropbox Sign publishes SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, 2FA, and AES-256 encryption at rest directly on its pricing page.
Key features: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 stated, 2FA support, AES-256 encryption at rest, trial availability
5. OneSpan Sign
OneSpan’s documentation states audit trails contain digital certificates and documents are tamper-sealed with digital signatures to guarantee integrity and authenticity.
Key features: Audit trail includes digital certificate, tamper-sealed record, configurable verification requirements, free trial
6. Entrust
Entrust positions digital signing solutions around trusted identities for documents, email, code, and mobile devices with PKI and certificate management services.
Key features: Digital signing coverage including documents and code, PKI solutions for key and certificate management, demos/trials directory
7. DigiCert
DigiCert sells publicly trusted document signing certificates to enable digital signatures and electronic seals, assuring origin, authenticity, and integrity.
Key features: Publicly trusted document signing certificates, certificates for authenticity and integrity assurance, certificate subscription pricing
8. GlobalSign
GlobalSign publishes document signing certificates from $369 USD/year with certificate storage on FIPS-compliant hardware tokens and trusted timestamping included.
Key features: Starting price from $369/year, FIPS-compliant hardware token storage, timestamping included
9. PandaDoc
PandaDoc states it is SOC 2 Type 2 certified with a security page describing compliance context and clear explanation of free eSign plan versus 14-day trial.
Key features: SOC 2 Type 2 certified, security page documentation, clear free plan vs trial explanation
10. Signeasy
Signeasy emphasizes enterprise-grade security with SSO, two-factor authentication, role-based access control, audit trails, and Trust Seal tamper detection.
Key features: SSO, 2FA, RBAC, audit trails described as signature certificates, Trust Seal tamper detection, operational audit support
How do you implement e-signature solutions for cybersecurity without creating new risks?
1. Classify documents by risk: Low (internal acknowledgments), Medium (vendor forms, HR packets), High (financial documents, access agreements, regulated records)
2. Match identity verification to risk: Medium risk requires MFA and strong audit trail; high risk adds step-up verification and PKI-based signing with digital certificates
3. Standardize evidence collection: Ensure every signing process produces an audit trail with key events and timestamps; validate tamper evidence
4. Secure the operational layer: SSO + least-privilege roles, export logs for investigations, define retention rules
Final thoughts
In 2026, e-signatures must support investigations, audits, and incident response. Focus on evidence quality: signer’s identity, audit trail, and tamper-evident sealing. Choose the tool that matches your risk level and operational model.
If your organization wants one platform combining document preparation and signing workflows, pdfFiller is a strong option with SOC 2 Type II positioning, SSO/audit trail support, and a published 30-day trial.
FAQ
Are electronic signatures legally binding?
In the U.S., E-SIGN provides that records or signatures cannot be denied legal effect solely because they are electronic.
Do digital signatures ensure document integrity?
They are designed to detect tampering because verification checks signed data against cryptographic evidence tied to the document contents.
What should I require for sensitive documents?
At minimum: MFA, audit trail, tamper evidence, encryption, and role-based permissions. For high-risk workflows, add stronger identity verification and consider PKI-backed signing.
Do I always need PKI for document signing?
Not always. Many business processes can use secure electronic signatures with strong authentication and audit trails.
PKI becomes more important when regulations or high fraud risk require certificate-backed signing and stronger non-repudiation evidence.
