attestation

Attestation is the act of bearing witness to the truth, accuracy, or validity of a statement, document, or phenomenon. It is formalized through an authority such as a notary, a certification body, or an issuer of a digital certificate. Etymologically, it derives from the idea of witnessing or certifying a claim.

In legal contexts, attestation often involves a person who witnesses a signature and affixes their own signature or seal to certify that the signature is genuine and that the signer acted voluntarily. In contracts, an attestation clause records that the parties signed in the presence of witnesses and may confirm the execution of a document.

In accounting and auditing, attestation refers to an assurance engagement in which a practitioner evaluates the reliability of information that is the responsibility of another party, such as financial statements or internal controls. Attestation engagements can include examinations, reviews, or agreed-upon procedures and are distinct from a full audit in scope and objective.

In information security, remote attestation is a method by which one computer proves to another that its software and firmware are in an expected state, typically using a trusted hardware root of trust. Attestation mechanisms are central to trusted execution environments, hardware security modules, and software supply chain provenance.

Practically, attestation serves to establish credibility and traceability by tying a claim to an accountable source, whether a human witness, an auditing body, or a technological trust anchor. It is applied across law, finance, and technology to verify authenticity, integrity, and compliance.