Electronic and digital signatures: in search of a standard

Electronic commerce has changed the way we buy books, sell Pez dispensers, and pay bills. Now, with the advent of electronic and digital signatures, e-commerce is changing the way we sign and store documents. Eventually, any business that wants to succeed in e-commerce must deal with electronic signatures. As an IT professional, you need to understand: what a signature is, legally, and when you need one; the various electronic signature standards; current federal and state electronic signature legislation; and some basics about electronic signature technology.