prevent esigned pdf from being allowed to convert to Word?

[defaultejam6eej9w3n]

I've discovered our e-signed documents (for which we have to remove the audit page) while they cannot be edited directly in the pdf can be converted to Word, edited and then reconverted to a pdf. Yes, they lose the esignature as such, but in appearance to any average user they are still "signed" and in all ways identical to our officially e-signed documents.

How do I prevent an e-signed document from having the convert function still enabled? I'm using Microsoft Power Automate to drive this so I want to be able to do it in the default settings.

Thanks for your help.

Charles.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

You can apply a security policy (before signing) that doesn't allow content extraction (but does allow signing form fields), then sign the file. Just be aware there are ways around it. You can't prevent someone from duplicating the file.

If the users don't know that a signature must be validated in order to be real then they need to be educated, because there are many ways to fake such a "signature", not just by exporting the file to Word.

[defaultejam6eej9w3n]

Thank you @try67. 

I tested the duplication and other options and take the point.  Still working on this and let's see where it ends up.