Incident Response and Recovery

Despite best efforts, security incidents involving digital signatures can occur. Preparation significantly improves response effectiveness. Document incident response procedures specific to signature systems. Include contact information for certificate authorities, platform vendors, and internal stakeholders. Define criteria for different incident severities and corresponding response requirements. Regular tabletop exercises help teams practice responses without real incidents' pressure.

Key compromise represents the most serious signature incident. If private keys are exposed, immediately revoke associated certificates to prevent further unauthorized signatures. Notify affected parties about potentially invalid signatures. Review audit logs to identify signatures created after compromise. Legal consultation might be necessary depending on signed document types and jurisdictions. Document all response actions for potential legal proceedings or insurance claims.

Recovery from signature incidents requires careful planning. Generate new keys and certificates using verified secure procedures. Update all systems using compromised credentials. Re-sign critical documents if necessary. Implement additional controls to prevent recurrence. Communicate transparently with affected parties about remediation steps. Post-incident reviews identify improvement opportunities. Learning from incidents strengthens future security posture.