3rd party digital seal/signature 1

[hawkaz]

I am compiling a list of states/jurisdictions that require 3rd party software for digital seal/Signature (Like Identrust)
I am aware of Florida, New Jersey and the city of Denver

Anyone know of others?
Thanks

 

[Huevo]

NSPE has a list put together. Free if you are a member, $10 if not. [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.nspe.org/shop/product/digital-signing-and-sealing-engineering-documents[/url]

 

[Thawkes]

If you read the rules/laws of each state, the majority of states technically require fancy verifiable digital signatures. However, we have found that most states aren't enforcing these requirements. In fact sometimes jurisdictions reject our legitimate digital signatures because they've never seen them before. In my opinion, the digital signature requirements don't make a lot of sense when you consider how easy it would be to duplicate a wet seal and signature, but nobody is suggesting additional regulations for that method of certifying engineering documents.

Here's a nice resource that contains information about seal/signature requirements, among other things: [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.bakerdonelson.com/webfiles/Bios/50StateSurveyofLicensedDesignProfessionalStampingandSealingObligations.pdf[/url]

 

[XR250]

In my opinion, the digital signature requirements don't make a lot of sense when you consider how easy it would be to duplicate a wet seal and signature

Agreed. I believe the state boards adopt these policies simply as a CYA measure.

 

[hawkaz]

Thanks for the comments!

 

[skeletron]

Alberta and BC both require 3rd party software (Notarius) for digital signing. The value and importance of a verified digital signer is not to "protect" the image of your stamp, but to certify the document with a time and identity stamp. I came across this while reviewing as-builts that had a number of discrepancies. It was unclear whether the person stamping actually reviewed the as-built drawing, or whether their stamp had been embedded in the PDF with a recycled date.


...but I can't recall if I have ever solved that problem yet.

 

[epoxybot]

"Unlicensed Civil Engineer Held to Answer on 232 Felony Counts in Massive Fraud Case" Link

The kicker to this story, is that the convict had once been an Inspector for the same SF Dept of Building Inspection where he did the defrauding. The FBI has been trying to nail SFDBI for years.

Maybe he'll carve a potato into a Geotech license stamp next time. SFDBI doesn't enforce the Geotech aspects of the building code.

 

[TLHS]

I really like the consistent source digital stamps. You know where the digital signature is supposed to be from, so you can actually verify that it's real. Since you have a password attached to it, nobody can pretend like you didn't look at the document. I think it reasonably protects me. If I consistently use a digital stamp on everything, and then there's one document on the project that doesn't have it and has some wonky copied pdf image, I think it's a hell of a lot easier argument that I didn't sign that. It also means that I'm definitely the one applying it, so things can't go out the door with an electronic stamp from CAD or a document control person or someone when the internal controls fall apart.

Sure it's not foolproof, but it's closer to actual tracability.

 

[JLNJ]

It seems like another added expense and I hate the idea that you are forced by the reviewing authority to go to a particular vendor.

My take is that it an outsized solution to a miniscule problem.