As stated in NMFS Procedural Directive 32-110-01 "Use and Implementation of Electronic Signatures" NMFS program officials must perform a qualitative risk assessment consistent with the analytic framework called out in OMB M-01-04, "E-authentication Guidance for Federal Agencies." The OMB policy, and in turn, the NMFS Procedural Directive identifies seven potential categories of impact from using e-signatures that include:
- Inconvenience, distress, or damage to standing or reputation to any party
- Financial loss to any party
- Agency liability
- Harm to agency programs or public interests
- Unauthorized release of sensitive information
- Personal safety
- Civil or criminal violations
Based on the risk assessment conducted by the FIS e-signature task force, in consultation with the Pacific Region program office, the analysis focused on the following potential impacts listed below.