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CoSign FAQ

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What is CoSign?

CoSign is ARX's non-forgeable, simple-to-use and quick to deploy, digital-signature solution that delivers an innovative way to digitally sign documents, files, forms and transactions. With CoSign, organizations can easily sign in numerous applications such as Microsoft® Word, Adobe Acrobat, TIFF images and leading Content Management Systems. CoSign's PKI technology guarantees signer authenticity, data integrity, and non-repudiation of documents and transactions. ARX's patented technologies have changed the entire behavior of the PKI environment with the advent of CoSign - a PKI-based digital-signature solution that is not only simple-to-use and easy to manage but also cost-effective.

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Is CoSign a hardware or software solution?

CoSign includes a tamper-proof hardware appliance for centralised key generation, storage and signing operations, while consisting of software components for integration with various 3rd party applications (such as Microsoft Office) and User Management Systems (such as Active Directory).

How does CoSign compare with traditional PKI solutions?

Traditional PKI-based solutions are one of the most expensive and difficult solutions to deploy. With so many components in a PKI environment, the Certificate Authority (CA), the key-storage device (hardware or software), the management application and, the signing applications (workflow application, ERP, mail, or any other application), integration is a complex, long and prohibitive process.

ARX's vision is to make PKI affordable and easy-to-use for all companies, large and small. ARX, with its patented technologies, has changed the PKI environment, by designing CoSign, a simple-to-use and cost-effective digital signature solution. CoSign is quick to deploy and offers all components of a digital-signature solution in one box. CoSign solves complex deployment problems and dramatically reduces the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of deploying digital-signatures. CoSign enables new users to automatically enroll in the PKI system (i.e., it creates the keys, issues certificates and renews them) ensuring the system is always simple and easy-to-use. Organisations have the option to manage their users either inside CoSign or through MS Active Directory or other options.

How does CoSign compare with other Digital & Electronic Signature products?

The following are some of the features that set CoSign apart:

  1. Simple-to-use and easy-to-deploy on premises solution !

  2. Reliable digital signature - the signature ensures document integrity and guarantees the identity of the signer.

  3. Centralized solution - Private Keys are generated and stored in a central secure tamper-proof appliance, eliminating the traditional need for hardware tokens (e.g., Smart Cards, USB Tokens, etc.)

  4. CoSign supports numerous applications: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel®, Adobe Acrobat, TIFF, and many more.

  5. All required components in one box - Built-in CA for issuing and renewing certificates, user management, and more.

  6. User Management support - Use CoSign in sync with major User Management Directories such as Microsoft Active Directory or use the built-in management tool for managing users.

  7. Graphical signature - Users may add a graphical representation of their signature using an electronic signature pad, providing a visual indication that users are accustomed to, as well as an assured method of sealing documents.

  8. Standardised signature method - CoSign uses industry standard electronic signatures based on "Public Key Infrastructure" (PKI) technology for signing and validating signatures. Using these standards allows receiving parties to validate signatures without any additional software installation required.

        

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How does CoSign integrate with existing solutions such as Document Management (DM) and Content Management Systems (ECM) etc?

CoSign offers an "out of the box" signature solution for major applications such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat. CoSign offers a simple Signature API (SAPI) which ensures quick and convenient integration with 3rd parties or self-developed applications. CoSign Connectors are off-the-shelf products on the market designed to tightly integrate digital signatures into major document-centric applications, for more info visit CoSign Connectors.

Is digital signature legally binding?

Sure. In 1999, the EU passed the “EU Directive for Electronic Signatures” and on June 30, 2000, President Clinton signed into law the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act ("ESIGN"), which made signed electronic contracts and documents as legally binding as a paper-based contract. in Australasia Electronic Transactions Act established the legal frame work to do business in electronic format. Section 10 describes the signature requirements.  Learn more about digital signature legislation.

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