# Digital Signature Chain **Entity class:** Cryptographic evidence chain ## Definition A **digital-signature chain** links a signed object to a private key, certificate, issuing certification authority, and trust anchor. Document hashes, certificate-path validation, revocation status, timestamps, countersignatures, workflow records, and retained copies can establish who signed which version and whether it changed. ## Relationships - **built on:** [[wiki/Public Key Infrastructure|PKI]]. - **federal trust:** [[wiki/Federal Public Key Infrastructure|Federal PKI]]. - **credentials:** [[wiki/PIV and CAC|PIV and CAC]]. - **evidentiary function:** [[wiki/Audit and Accountability|Audit and Accountability]] and [[wiki/Closing-Document Stack|Closing-Document Stack]]. ## Sources / Provenance - [GSA — PKI 101](https://www.idmanagement.gov/university/pki/) - [National Archives — Digital Signatures on SF 312](https://www.archives.gov/files/isoo/notices/isoo-notice-2022-01-digital-signatures-on-sf-312.pdf)