Before storing documents electronically gained acceptance in the enterprise, retrieving documents meant parsing file cabinets and retrieving paper forms. And when it came time to share that information with the public without revealing classified information, it usually meant copying the original document and then pulling out a black marker that was used to cross out sensitive information on the copy, followed by more copying until the underlying text could no longer be seen. So while in the last decade most companies have scrapped file cabinets in favor of document images, more companies keep the black marker handy than they would probably like to admit.
It is only natural that companies would want to share their electronically stored documents outside of the organization with third parties. However a familiar problem has emerged: how to hide information from public view that could be harmful to the business or to customers if exposed without a handy-dandy marker to make those changes. Informative Graphics recent announcement of Redact-It now allows companies to mark out sensitive areas on documents and securely share these images without the fear of exposing sensitive information.
The prevalence of regulations such as PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards), FTC Red Flag Rules, FRCP (Federal Rules of Civil Procedure) and HIPAA, just to name a few, make the liabilities associated with exposing any sensitive information on electronic documents untenable for most companies. Informative Graphics understands this and makes the security of digital images and compliance a top priority.
Although redacting information on digital images is not new technology, what is new is Informative Graphics approach to this problem. Redact-It offers several improvements over current technologies:
· Eliminates Search Risk of Redacted Information. Currently redaction involves drawing black polygons over information. Unfortunately this presents a security risk as it allows the underlying information to be searched and revealed even though it is supposed to be redacted. Redact-It makes a copy of the document and removes the underlying information as part of its redaction process to making the information unsearchable. This approach secures the information from unauthorized exposure.
· Allows Retrieval of Redacted Information. Making a redacted copy allows you to revert back to the original document if needed. An original copy is also still available to those who have viewing rights to all of the document’s information.
· Per Document or Template Based Redaction/ No longer do you have to redact information on a per document basis. Instead, templates can be created with predefined redacted areas that allow for automatic redaction of bulk images when scanned.
· Multiple Vendor and eDiscovery Integration. Redact-It integrates with large imaging companies such as EMC Documentum, Interwoven, and Open Text as well as Microsoft SharePoint. This integration allows for partial or template based redaction of information from document imaging market leaders. Redact-It also helps in eDiscovery processes by providing redacted information when complying with FRCP procedures. Redact-It can take a “peek through” approach to legal documents allowing redaction of everything in a document and only allowing peeks at the information necessary to meet your FRCP obligations.
When dealing with personally identifiable information within digital images, there are numerous risks. Mitigating these risks through Informative Graphics unique approach to security and compliance through true redaction and verifiable audit trails allows you to meet the heavy burden of regulation. Information redaction is not exactly sexy and redacting information within digital images is definitely not new technology. However Informative Graphics approach is not just a rehash of old technology and it certainly goes well beyond using black markers by providing a more sophisticated solution that addresses a growing problem in this age of electronically stored documents.