What Is Signature Authentication?

Signature authentication may be used to gain access to secure files.

Many businesses and individuals transfer and store confidential information via their computer or the Internet. PC users may wish to keep such data confidential. Signature authentication can be used for this function.

Definition

Signature authentication, or a unique signature used to identify an individual, is one method of access control used for security purposes. Access control gives verified users the means to access secure data in a computer system.

Types

On many computer systems, a signature used for authentication can be digital or electronic. Electronic signatures can be anything from symbols to sounds associated with a specific individual. For security purposes, digital signatures may be encrypted, or coded, and can only be deciphered and read with the help of a security key.

Process

Signatures can be verified by an authorized individual, or authenticated via a computer processor. Computer systems use digital signatures as credentials. The signature owner presents the signature to a reader device, which transmits the signature data to the processor. The processor verifies that the signature is authentic, and grants access to a computer file or system.

References

• PCmag.com: digital signature
• "Access Control Systems: Security, Identity Management and Trust Models"; Messaoud Benantar; Springer US; 2009

Resources

• "The Book on Electronic Access Control"; Joel Konicek; Butterworth-Heinemann; 1997