What is required to authenticate a private electronic document?

• A. Digital signature and other security measures.
• B. Orally by a witness.
• C. Affidavit from a notary.
• D. Handwritten annotation.

Answer: (A)

Authentication of a private electronic document centers on proving who created it and that its contents haven’t been altered since creation. The most reliable way to establish this is through a digital signature combined with other security measures. A digital signature uses cryptographic keys to tie the signer’s identity to the document and to protect its integrity; if the document is changed after signing, the signature won’t validate, making tampering detectable. When you add time stamps, secure access controls, and tamper-evident logs, you create a verifiable trail that the document is genuine and has remained unmodified. Relying on oral testimony from a witness cannot provide cryptographic proof of origin and integrity, and a notary’s affidavit or a handwritten note does not give the necessary electronic-authentication assurance.