Innovation drives secure eSignature solutions for Africa

Issue 3 2021 News & Events

Both demand and need for eSignature solutions have increased exponentially on a global scale over the last two years. The use of eSignatures was already gaining interest but grew dramatically with the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Due to ‘new-normal’ remote work requirements and the necessity of secure online operations, the popularity of eSignature solutions rose rapidly.


Brent Haumann.

Since 2002, when the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) took effect in South Africa, eSignatures have been recognised as an acceptable means of signing most documents. While some used this new, valid means to obtain legally binding signatures, others were hesitant due to concerns around security and validity. Since the onset of the pandemic, however, many have been left with no other choice but to find reliable eSignature solutions in a transformed world.

According to the Fortune Business Key Market Insights, the digital signature market is expected to be worth more than $7 billion by 2027, which is a drastic increase from its market worth in 2019, which was $1,09 billion. This sharp rise in worth is indicative of the need and growing demand for eSignatures.

Impression Signatures (a provider of secure eSignatures in South Africa) and Striata (a provider of digital customer communications solutions) recognised the need for secure, efficient and easily manageable eSignature solutions. Realising the power of joining forces within the regional market, these organisations have partnered to ensure easy access to safe, efficient eSignature solutions.

“This new partnership is going to strengthen our ability to provide the most secure and effective eSignature solutions to the public,” explains Warren Blackbeard, sales and channel manager at Impression Signatures. Impression Signatures and Striata not only recognise this need, but understand that eSignature offerings need to be convenient and protected; both for those signing documents and for those requesting that documents be signed.

“Protection against fraud and repudiation goes both ways; customers need the assurance that they are transacting with their service provider and that any agreement they enter into will be honoured. Just as those service providers need assurance that they are entering into an agreement with their customer and not someone posing as that customer,” advises Brent Haumann, managing director, Africa, Striata. Ensuring that both parties to an agreement are safely identified and able to consent to a transaction is a critical step in any customer journey.

“Utilising effective eSignature solutions not only provides vital security and ease-of-use for organisations, but can also offer companies reduced costs and time expenditure,” continues Blackbeard. “In a Forrester study on the economic impact of electronic signatures it was estimated that organisations gain an average of 410% return of investment on time and resources. This equates to an average of R100 saved per document.”

Through this new partnership, Impression Signatures and Striata ensure users enjoy increased return of investment and absolute peace of mind, dealing with secure and confidential documents. Now businesses can confidently embrace digital transformation, while ensuring customer and business data protection, confidentiality and security.

Impression and Striata take document security very seriously. “With this partnership, customers enjoy the utmost protection, offered alongside the convenience of mobility. Our digital document delivery and signature solutions are easily embedded into the business’s existing web and mobile applications,” confirms Blackbeard. This effectively strengthens customer satisfaction, allowing for a convenient and seamless customer experience across various channels.”

"Partnering with Impression has added a missing piece of the puzzle to our solution. When two organisations that value security, customer experience and high-quality technology at their core team up, it creates a formidable offering to the market. With Striata's expertise in automated customer communication and secure delivery and Impression's expertise in non-repudiation and identity assurance, there is an obvious synergy that has resulted in an easy to implement, highly relevant solution for our customers,” concludes Haumann.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Highest increase in global cyberattacks in two years
Information Security News & Events
Check Point Global Research released new data on Q2 2024 cyber-attack trends, noting a 30% global increase in Q2 2024, with Africa experiencing the highest average weekly per organisation.

Read more...
From the Editor's desk: Apathy is a cybercriminal
Technews Publishing News & Events
      Welcome to SMART Security Solutions’ first print publication of the year, the SMART Access & Identity Handbook 2025. This year’s print issue is smaller than usual, so we include some articles in the ...

Read more...
From QR code to compromise
Information Security News & Events
A new attack vector involves threat actors using fraudulent QR codes emailed in PDF attachments to bypass companies' phishing security measures by requiring users to scan the code with their mobile phones.

Read more...
Boost revenue streams for MNOS
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Financial (Industry)
ReveNet has introduced its new solution, designed to safeguard and potentially boost revenue streams in an increasingly challenging landscape for MNOS. The new platform combines advanced analytics and is built on trust, transparency, and sustainability principles.

Read more...
Here’s to a SMART 2025
SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice News & Events
This is the final news brief from SMART Security Solutions for 2024, and the teams would like to take this opportunity to thank our readers, advertisers and partners and wish everyone a safe and secure festive season.

Read more...
Organisations fear AI-driven cyberattacks, but lack key defences
Kaspersky Information Security News & Events Training & Education
A recent Kaspersky study reveals that businesses are increasingly worried about the growing use of artificial intelligence in cyberattacks, with 56% of surveyed companies in South Africa reporting a rise in cyber incidents over the past year.

Read more...
South African SMBs chart growth amid economic uncertainties
News & Events
Survey shows that business confidence among South African SMBs remains strong at 78%, but opportunities abound to boost productivity and accelerate digital transformation. Additionally, AI adoption has gained traction, with two-thirds of South African SMBs investing in AI over the past year.

Read more...
ONVIF launches new online learning initiative
Training & Education Surveillance News & Events
ONVIF has released the first course in a new online learning initiative designed to promote greater knowledge and understanding of ONVIF's workings. The first “Introduction to ONVIF” course is now available.

Read more...
Gallagher Security opens Cape Town office
Gallagher News & Events Access Control & Identity Management
Acknowledging a significant period of growth for the company in South Africa, opening a second office will enable Gallagher to increase its presence across the region with staff based in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Read more...
Physical security technology trends to watch in 2025
Technews Publishing News & Events
There are some exciting developments and significant changes, some technical and some operational, taking place in the market that security professionals should be aware of as they plan for the year ahead.

Read more...