Is DocuSign or Adobe Sign data encrypted at rest?

Introduction to Data Security in E-Signature Platforms

In the digital age, businesses rely heavily on electronic signature solutions to streamline contracts, approvals, and workflows. However, with increasing cyber threats and regulatory scrutiny, data security—particularly encryption at rest—has become a critical factor in choosing the right platform. Encryption at rest refers to protecting stored data on servers or devices from unauthorized access, even if physical hardware is compromised. For platforms like DocuSign and Adobe Sign, this feature is essential to safeguard sensitive documents such as legal agreements, financial records, and personal information. This article examines whether these leading tools encrypt data at rest, drawing from official documentation and industry standards, while maintaining a neutral, business-oriented perspective on their implications for enterprise adoption.

What Is Data Encryption at Rest and Why It Matters

Data encryption at rest involves applying cryptographic algorithms to data when it’s not actively in use, typically using standards like AES-256. This prevents breaches during storage, aligning with frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 compliance. For e-signature providers, unencrypted data could expose user information to risks like insider threats or server hacks, leading to financial losses and reputational damage. Businesses evaluating DocuSign or Adobe Sign often prioritize this to ensure audit-ready security. According to industry reports, over 80% of data breaches involve stored data, making encryption a baseline expectation rather than a luxury.

In practice, encryption at rest works alongside other layers like encryption in transit (e.g., TLS 1.3) and access controls. For global operations, it must also comply with regional laws—such as the EU’s eIDAS for electronic signatures, which mandates robust data protection, or the U.S. ESIGN Act, emphasizing equivalent security to paper documents. These regulations underscore the need for transparency in how platforms handle stored data.

DocuSign’s Data Encryption Practices

DocuSign, a pioneer in e-signature technology since 2003, powers millions of agreements annually for enterprises worldwide. Its core offering, DocuSign eSignature, includes advanced features like templates, bulk sending, and integration with tools such as Salesforce and Microsoft. For security, DocuSign employs a multi-layered approach, certified under ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, and FedRAMP. Specifically addressing the query: Yes, DocuSign encrypts data at rest using AES-256 encryption across its cloud infrastructure, hosted primarily on AWS and Azure. This applies to envelopes (document containers), audit trails, and user metadata, ensuring that even if storage media is accessed illicitly, the data remains unreadable without decryption keys managed via key management services (KMS).

DocuSign’s Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform extends this with contract lifecycle management (CLM), offering AI-driven insights, clause extraction, and obligation tracking—all underpinned by the same encryption standards. For businesses in regulated sectors like finance or healthcare, this provides verifiable compliance, with detailed audit logs accessible via the platform’s dashboard. However, costs can escalate with add-ons like identity verification, and API integrations require separate developer plans starting at $600 annually. While robust, DocuSign’s global focus means occasional latency in regions like APAC, where data residency preferences may influence perceived security.

Adobe Sign’s Approach to Data Encryption

Adobe Sign, part of Adobe Document Cloud, integrates seamlessly with Acrobat and Creative Cloud, catering to creative and enterprise teams needing robust document workflows. Launched as EchoSign in 2006 and acquired by Adobe in 2015, it supports features like conditional fields, mobile signing, and payment collection, with strong ties to Adobe’s ecosystem for PDF editing. On encryption: Adobe Sign does encrypt data at rest using AES-256, stored securely in Adobe’s cloud environment on AWS. This covers all agreement data, including signed PDFs, form submissions, and attachments, with keys rotated regularly and protected by hardware security modules (HSMs). Compliance certifications include ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR readiness, making it suitable for U.S. and EU operations under ESIGN and eIDAS.

Adobe Sign’s strength lies in its user-friendly interface and scalability for mid-sized businesses, but it may require additional licensing for advanced analytics or integrations. Like DocuSign, it handles high volumes but faces similar challenges in non-Western regions, where custom configurations might be needed for local data sovereignty.

Comparative Analysis: Encryption and Key Features Across Providers

To provide a balanced view, here’s a neutral comparison of DocuSign, Adobe Sign, eSignGlobal, and HelloSign (now part of Dropbox) focusing on encryption at rest, pricing, and compliance. This draws from public documentation as of 2025, highlighting trade-offs for businesses.

This table illustrates that while all providers offer strong encryption, differences in pricing and regional support can influence decisions. For instance, seat-based models in DocuSign and HelloSign may inflate costs for large teams, whereas eSignGlobal’s unlimited users appeal to scaling organizations.

Regional Nuances in E-Signature Security and Compliance

Electronic signature laws vary globally, impacting how encryption is implemented. In the U.S., the ESIGN Act and UETA provide a framework for digital signatures equivalent to wet-ink, requiring “reasonable” security measures like at-rest encryption without mandating specifics. The EU’s eIDAS regulation goes further, classifying signatures into basic, advanced, and qualified levels, with qualified ones needing certified hardware for encryption and non-repudiation. APAC presents a more fragmented landscape: countries like Singapore (Electronic Transactions Act) and Hong Kong (Electronic Transactions Ordinance) enforce high standards with ecosystem-integrated requirements, such as linking to national digital IDs. This contrasts with the more framework-based ESIGN/eIDAS, demanding deeper hardware/API integrations with government systems (G2B), raising technical barriers beyond email verification.

Spotlight on eSignGlobal as a Competitive Alternative

eSignGlobal emerges as a noteworthy player, particularly for APAC-focused businesses, with compliance support across 100 mainstream global countries and a strong edge in the region. APAC’s e-signature ecosystem is characterized by fragmentation, high standards, and strict regulation, where solutions must integrate with local government digital identities—far more complex than the self-declaration or email modes common in the West. eSignGlobal addresses this through “ecosystem-integrated” compliance, enabling seamless G2B connections. It competes head-on with DocuSign and Adobe Sign worldwide, including in the Americas and Europe, by offering cost-effective plans: the Essential version at just $16.6/month allows sending up to 100 documents for electronic signature, unlimited user seats, and verification via access codes, all while maintaining high compliance and value. Integrations with Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass exemplify its regional prowess, reducing friction in cross-border deals.

For those exploring options, eSignGlobal provides a 30-day free trial to test these features firsthand.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Fit

In summary, both DocuSign and Adobe Sign affirmatively encrypt data at rest with industry-leading AES-256 standards, making them reliable for most global enterprises. However, business needs—such as regional compliance, cost structures, and integrations—should guide selection. For DocuSign alternatives emphasizing regional compliance, eSignGlobal stands out as a balanced, APAC-optimized choice without compromising on security.