E-Signature

UA Board of Regents approved Use of Electronic Signature Policy P05.08.040 to adopt electronic signatures for university business processes.

To the degree already allowed by the Federal law and State of Alaska statute, the University recognizes and authorizes electronic signatures as a method to conduct University business. The University of Alaska may conduct business through the use of electronic signatures in all transactions or processes except the following:

  1. any transaction or process that requires a notarized signature
  2. any transaction or process that is not legal to conduct electronically

The Chief Records Officer and Chief Information Technology Officer are responsible for developing Administrative Guidelines for the use of Electronic Signatures at the University of Alaska. The Administrative Guidelines for the use of Electronic Signatures can be found as part of the Accounting and Administrative Manual on the Controller’s website.

 

Reference: Alaska Statutes Title 9. Chapter 80 Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and  Uniform Electronic Transactions ACT (UETA)

Full Details (PDF) 

Guidelines on Electronic Signatures


Select Publications by RIM 

1. When Digital Signatures Make a Debut at Colleges and Universities, Business Officer (National Association of College & University Business Officers)February 2015,  Shiva Hullavarad, Russell O'Hare, Ashok Roy

In today’s world, innovations emerge at a stunning rate and are often sparked by technology advances or capabilities. Such is the case with electronic and digital signatures, which have made their way into the business world and hold potential to make higher education processes more efficient as well. However, as with many new procedures, business officers must view the adoption of digital signatures against the canvas of overall risk and the level of authentication required for specific transactions.  At this point, there is still debate in many universities about whether to accept digital signatures, continue the status quo of “wet ink” signatures, or develop hybrid signature methods. Digital signature transaction-management platform solutions can streamline and automate document signing, validate signed documents within business processes, and securely archive all signed documents to help accelerate transactions and reduce costs. This article provides advice on development and implementation of an effective digital signature process.

 

2. Digital Signatures Deciphered,  Internal Auditor (Institute of Internal Auditors), April 2015,  Shiva Hullavarad, Russell O'Hare, Ashok Roy

Many internal audit departments are debating how they would advice management about use of digital signatures and their risks. Digital signatures improve efficiency, provide security around transactions, and enhance collective approvals in a fraction of the time compared to conventional ink signatures. Nonetheless, there is always the danger and fear of unauthorized or malicious use of digital signatures. Internal auditors and organizations need to assess the level of risk and to what extent the organization should secure its digital signature platform. This article provides e-Signature-Risk-Authentication (SRA) model to analyze the trade-off between the level of risk digital signatures pose and the level of authentication required to provide desired levels of assurance while accepting them.