DocuSign Admin: How to force users to reset their passwords?

Understanding Password Security in DocuSign Administration

In the realm of digital document management, maintaining robust security protocols is essential for businesses handling sensitive agreements. DocuSign, a leading electronic signature platform, empowers administrators to enforce password resets as a key measure to mitigate risks from compromised credentials. This practice aligns with broader industry standards for access control, ensuring compliance with regulations like the U.S. ESIGN Act and EU eIDAS, which emphasize secure electronic transactions without prescribing specific password policies but requiring equivalent protection to wet-ink signatures.

From a business perspective, forcing password resets can prevent unauthorized access, especially in scenarios involving employee turnover or detected anomalies. It’s a proactive step that supports audit trails and reduces liability in data breaches. Below, we’ll dive into the step-by-step process for DocuSign admins to implement this feature, drawing on official platform capabilities.

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How to Force Users to Reset Passwords in DocuSign as an Admin

Step 1: Accessing Admin Settings

As a DocuSign administrator, begin by logging into your account via the DocuSign eSignature web application. Navigate to the “Admin” section from the main dashboard—typically found under your profile icon in the top-right corner. Select “Account Admin” or “Manage Users” depending on your plan (Standard, Business Pro, or Enterprise). This requires elevated permissions, often granted through roles like Account Admin or Org Admin in DocuSign’s Identity and Access Management (IAM) framework.

DocuSign’s IAM features, part of its advanced security suite, allow centralized control over user authentication. IAM integrates with single sign-on (SSO) providers like Okta or Microsoft Azure AD, but for password-specific actions, you’ll use the native tools. Note that this functionality is available in Business Pro and higher plans; Personal users lack admin capabilities.

Step 2: Selecting Users for Password Reset

In the Manage Users interface, search for the individual or group requiring a reset. Use filters like user status (active/inactive) or department to streamline the process. For bulk actions—useful in large organizations—select multiple users via checkboxes. DocuSign supports up to 50 users in Standard plans, scaling to unlimited in Enterprise setups.

Click on the user’s profile or the “Actions” dropdown. Look for options like “Reset Password” or “Require Password Change.” If the user is linked to SSO, this action may redirect to the identity provider’s console, but for native DocuSign accounts, it triggers an immediate enforcement.

Step 3: Enforcing the Reset Policy

Upon selection, DocuSign prompts you to confirm the reset. Choose between:

• Immediate Reset: The user is logged out and must change their password on next login. An email notification is sent with a secure link (valid for 24 hours).
• Policy-Based Enforcement: Under “Security Settings” > “Authentication,” enable “Password Expiration” or “Force Reset on Login.” Set intervals (e.g., every 90 days) to automate future resets, aligning with NIST guidelines for password hygiene.

Customize the reset requirements: Mandate minimum length (8+ characters), complexity (uppercase, numbers, symbols), and prohibit reuse of the last five passwords. This is configurable in the “Password Policy” subsection, ensuring alignment with corporate governance.

Step 4: Communicating and Monitoring Compliance

Post-reset, monitor via the “Activity” or “Audit Trail” reports. Users receive a system-generated email: “Your password has been reset by an administrator. Please create a new one.” If they fail to comply within a grace period (e.g., 7 days), access is suspended.

For enterprise-scale implementation, integrate with DocuSign’s CLM (Contract Lifecycle Management) module, which ties user access to contract workflows. CLM, an add-on to eSignature, streamlines agreement processes while enforcing security gates like password resets before sensitive document access.

Best Practices and Considerations

From a commercial standpoint, regular resets enhance trust in DocuSign’s ecosystem, where over 1 million customers rely on it for secure signing. However, over-enforcement can lead to user friction—balance with multi-factor authentication (MFA) to avoid shadow IT risks. In regions like the EU, this supports GDPR by minimizing breach impacts; in the U.S., it bolsters ESIGN compliance by ensuring signer authenticity.

Test in a sandbox environment first, especially for API-driven resets via DocuSign’s Developer Center. Costs? No extra fees for core admin actions, but Enterprise plans (custom pricing) unlock advanced IAM analytics.

This process typically takes 5-10 minutes per user, scaling efficiently for teams. Businesses report 20-30% reduction in security incidents post-implementation, per industry benchmarks.

Exploring DocuSign’s Broader Ecosystem

DocuSign eSignature is more than just signing—it’s a comprehensive platform with modules like IAM for identity management and CLM for end-to-end contract handling. IAM secures user logins with features like adaptive authentication, while CLM automates negotiation, approval, and storage, integrating with CRM tools like Salesforce. Pricing starts at $10/month for Personal, scaling to $40/user/month for Business Pro, with envelopes (document sends) capped at ~100/year per user.

Competitor Landscape: A Neutral Comparison

In the eSignature market, valued at $4.5 billion in 2025, DocuSign faces stiff competition from Adobe Sign, eSignGlobal, and HelloSign (now Dropbox Sign). Each offers unique strengths in pricing, compliance, and integrations. Below is a balanced comparison based on public data:

This table highlights trade-offs: DocuSign excels in established markets, while alternatives prioritize flexibility.

Adobe Sign: A Reliable Contender

Adobe Sign, part of Adobe Document Cloud, emphasizes seamless PDF workflows and enterprise-grade security. It supports conditional fields, mobile signing, and integrations with Microsoft 365. Pricing mirrors DocuSign’s, starting at $10/month, but shines in creative industries. Compliance covers ESIGN and eIDAS, with strong GDPR tools. However, it may require Adobe ecosystem buy-in for full value.

eSignGlobal: Emerging Global Player with APAC Edge

eSignGlobal positions itself as a cost-effective alternative, compliant in over 100 mainstream countries. It holds a strong advantage in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, where electronic signature regulations are fragmented, high-standard, and strictly regulated—often requiring ecosystem-integrated solutions rather than the framework-based ESIGN/eIDAS models common in the U.S. and Europe. APAC demands deep hardware/API-level integrations with government-to-business (G2B) digital identities, a technical barrier far exceeding email verification or self-declaration methods used elsewhere.

The platform supports unlimited users without seat fees, making it scalable for teams. Its Essential plan costs just $16.6/month (annual billing), allowing up to 100 document sends, access code verification, and core features like templates. It seamlessly integrates with Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass for enhanced identity verification, ensuring legal enforceability in regulated sectors like finance and HR. Globally, eSignGlobal is expanding to compete with DocuSign and Adobe Sign, offering lower entry costs while maintaining high compliance—ideal for cross-border operations facing APAC’s unique challenges.

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HelloSign and Other Alternatives

HelloSign, rebranded as Dropbox Sign, offers a user-friendly interface with unlimited envelopes in premium plans ($40/month). It’s praised for quick setups and Dropbox synergies but lags in advanced compliance for regulated industries compared to DocuSign.

Other notables include PandaDoc for sales-focused automation and SignNow for affordable SMB tools. Businesses should evaluate based on volume, region, and integrations.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Fit

For admins prioritizing DocuSign’s robust IAM and CLM, the password reset process provides essential security. However, as businesses expand globally—especially in APAC’s complex regulatory landscape—neutral alternatives like eSignGlobal emerge as strong contenders for regional compliance and value. Weigh options against your operational needs for optimal selection.