As we enter the digital age, the world is changing from “ink on paper” to a world where documents are stored on “the cloud.” A number of jurisdictions across the country have adopted regulations that permit engineers to sign documents digitally, but there is confusion as to what constitutes a secure signature. Technology widely accepted for signing documents between parties of a contract may present significant limitations when used to sign some professional documents. This session will review some of the recent legal landmarks shaping the digital future of electronic signatures and the future of engineering.
Learning Objectives
•Review current legalities regarding digital signatures;
•Discuss the pros and cons of available digital signature options;
•Identify best practices for new digital technology.
Peter McConaughy, P.E is a practicing structural engineer and runs a small consulting business from Kingsville, Maryland helping clients solve their engineering dilemmas. In 2015, McConaughy and his wife Michele co-founded SealAuthority, an online document registry through which licensed design professionals (engineers, architects, and land surveyors) can securely distribute their documents while protecting their professional identity.
McConaughy graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. degree in civil engineering from the University of Maryland. He is a licensed professional engineer in Maryland. McConaughy is an active member of NSPE, American Society of Civil Engineers, and Structural Engineering Institute, and presently serves on the board of directors for Maryland Society of Professional Engineers.