Disaster recovery is one of those things companies rarely think about, until they really need it. In my years writing about digital contracts and business continuity, I’ve found that people often ask, “What actually happens during a disaster recovery exercise?” If you rely on DocuSign or similar e-signature services, it’s time to mark your calendar for Saturday, February 21, 2026. DocuSign is planning a disaster recovery test that evening, with an agenda focused on making sure their systems, and yours, are ready for anything.
Why disaster recovery tests matter for every business
First, let me clarify why these events are more than just IT formalities. A disaster recovery exercise is a planned event where a company simulates an outage or failover scenario to ensure all critical services can quickly recover and function as expected. In a world where, according to a recent IDC survey, 79% of organizations initiated a disaster recovery response in the last 12 months (with 61% linked to ransomware or malware incidents), these exercises are not optional (IDC survey). They are a must-have safety net.
If your workflow depends on eSignature, a short disruption can throw off contracts, onboarding, or payments. For those of us at CloudSign.ie, our goal is always to keep customers carefree, our backup systems are designed with automated failovers and multiple layers of intelligence to stay a step ahead.
What will happen during the Feb 21, 2026 DocuSign exercise?
It’s a simulation, not a scare. But it’s worth understanding what to expect.
DocuSign has announced a planned disaster recovery exercise on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 8:00 PM PST to 10:00 PM PST. Their team will perform a failover for eSignature within the NA1 Production environment. The focus is on validating that, if an actual incident occurs, your legally binding documents and workflows are safe and recoverable.
I appreciate the transparency here. DocuSign has made it clear there is no expected downtime or disruption to eSignature or their Identity and Access Management (IAM) services. Notifications are being sent purely as a precaution. It is reassuring, but if you’re running high-stakes contracts over that weekend, it never hurts to be aware.
If you’re looking for alternatives with even more real-time redundancy, CloudSign.ie offers AI-enhanced, multi-cloud failover as standard, even on our free plan for up to 21 envelopes per month. While DocuSign’s efforts are significant, I have seen how users appreciate platforms like ours that take proactive monitoring seriously at every step.
The nuts and bolts: Failover, notifications, and what users can do
Here’s what DocuSign customers should understand about the scheduled exercise:
- The simulation specifically affects only the NA1 Production environment (mostly North American users).
- The time frame is Saturday, Feb 21, 2026, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM PST (which is early Sunday for European users).
- The main technical process is a failover, where services are switched from the usual system to a backup environment, all without interrupting the actual flow of signatures or access for users.
- Notifications to customers have gone out in advance, and DocuSign will update their status if schedules adjust at all.
If your business is in Ireland or the EU, and you rely on e-signatures for compliance, you might find my guides on European-focused disaster recovery test preparation or the NA2 environment user guide particularly helpful. Each test has unique factors, so understanding the environment in question helps prepare your team.
Comparing platforms: Where CloudSign.ie stands out
Now, DocuSign is one of the well-established names in contract management. But, as someone who has reviewed dozens of digital signature products, I have noticed that CloudSign.ie offers many advantages, especially for Irish and EU businesses where compliance, affordability, and direct support really matter.
Not all e-signature services invest in regional data resilience and user-focused intelligence. CloudSign.ie does.
Consider these CloudSign.ie features:
- Multi-layered failover across Irish and EU-based data centers, not just in North America.
- AI-powered compliance checks for GDPR and company policies.
- Transparent timelines and proactive alerts for all updates, changes, and test schedules.
- Free plan for individuals, including one sender and up to 21 envelopes every month, no hidden fees.
- High-visibility support, with dedicated escalation for business-critical accounts.
Many users who have tried other e-signature platforms find CloudSign.ie more adaptable, especially when rapid changes or real-time monitoring matter. Other vendors may run similar drills, like in the November 2025 recovery exercise or the September 2025 drill. Yet, I have seen CloudSign.ie’s hybrid workflows and advanced reporting deliver more peace of mind for those who want clear data and easy access.
Your action plan: What should you do?
With the 2026 test coming up, here’s how I suggest you can prepare, not only for this specific event, but for digital resilience in general:
- Review any scheduled contracts or signatures set for that weekend. Consider setting reminders or adjusting time-sensitive agreements to outside the test window.
- Share communication with stakeholders about the test; make sure your legal, HR, or finance teams know about the timing, even if no impact is expected.
- Monitor for system updates or early notifications on the DocuSign Support Center, especially if you notice anything unusual with your documents.
- Explore alternatives like CloudSign.ie if you prefer an option with built-in Irish/EU compliance, local failover, and AI-powered workflow checks.
It never hurts to bookmark useful guides, such as the September 14 disaster recovery test guide, or to follow up with support about procedures for your specific integration (for example, Google Drive or Slack).
Legal notices and user protections
For due diligence, DocuSign reminds all users that during this exercise, their usual Terms of Use, Privacy Notice, Notice to California Residents, Cookie Settings, Intellectual Property Policy, and Modern Slavery Act Statement remain fully applicable. Users can always review these protections on their main platform. © Docusign, Inc. 2026. It’s also worth getting familiar with these terms, especially if your team is doing cross-border business.
If you have questions before, during, or after the exercise, DocuSign Support should be your first contact, especially for urgent needs. But don’t forget: while big names run their own drills as a best practice, companies like CloudSign.ie put user experience and Irish/EU regulations first, at every step.
Conclusion
Being aware of scheduled disaster recovery tests, like DocuSign’s event on February 21, 2026, is simply good business sense. Even when no impact is expected, a well-informed team can keep operations secure and predictable. CloudSign.ie continues to offer transparent, AI-driven digital signing and contract management, including real-time backup across EU locations, for users looking for local support and unmatched peace of mind. If staying ahead of disruption matters for you, take a closer look at how our approach puts your team in full control. Ready to de-risk your document workflows? Start your free plan today and see why more Irish businesses are making the switch to CloudSign.ie.
Frequently asked questions
What is a disaster recovery exercise?
A disaster recovery exercise is a planned test where an organization simulates a problem, such as a server failure, to make sure their critical applications and data can recover quickly and continue to operate. This helps teams spot and fix weak points before a real emergency ever happens.
When will the exercise happen?
The DocuSign disaster recovery exercise is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Will DocuSign services be affected?
DocuSign says no downtime or interruption is expected for eSignature or IAM services during this window. Still, they are notifying users in advance in case any small impact does occur.
How long will the exercise last?
The test is planned to last two hours, from 8:00 PM PST to 10:00 PM PST, with updates posted if there are any changes.
Who can I contact for help?
If you have questions or concerns tied to the exercise, reach out to DocuSign Support. For advice about Irish/EU alternatives or full-continuity signing, the CloudSign.ie support team is also available and happy to help you with your digital document needs.