Secure Document Redaction with eViewer HTML5: Protecting Sensitive Information in the Digital Age

Summary

Document redaction is more than just hiding sensitive information; it requires permanent, secure removal that protects against unauthorized access while maintaining document integrity. Learn how eViewer HTML5 delivers the best enterprise-grade redaction capabilities that safeguard your organization’s most sensitive data while ensuring regulatory compliance.

In the pre-digital era, redacting sensitive information from documents was straightforward: grab a black marker, cover the text, and make photocopies. The original sensitive content was genuinely gone from the distributed copies.

Today’s digital landscape presents far more complex challenges. What appears to be properly redacted on screen may still contain recoverable data underneath, creating serious security vulnerabilities that can lead to costly breaches and regulatory violations.

The Hidden Dangers of Careless Redaction

During the FTC’s preliminary hearing challenging Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard (June 2023), Sony, as a non-direct party, submitted redacted documents by PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan to support the FTC’s position to block the merger. Sony had sought court approval to redact sensitive figures.

Sony’s team used a black Sharpie marker to obscure budgetary and revenue details, thinking the redactions would stand firm. However, when scanned, the obscured text leaked through, which journalists and analysts could once again read key numbers.

Sony’s redaction failure delivered a wealth of data showcasing how financially crucial Call of Duty is to PlayStation, and why Microsoft making it Xbox-exclusive could severely tip the competitive landscape.

Another case involving careless redacting happened in 2019 when Paul Manafort’s legal team made a critical blunder. They attempted to conceal sensitive information in a PDF using black rectangles, but the underlying text remained easily accessible. As a result, confidential details about Manafort’s interactions with Russian intelligence were exposed, triggering public scrutiny and legal repercussions.

This incident highlighted a troubling gap in the understanding of proper redaction practices and the tools required to implement them effectively. It served as a cautionary tale: without technical expertise and thorough verification, even seasoned legal professionals can make costly, high-profile mistakes when handling sensitive information.

These incidents highlight common but dangerous redaction mistakes:

• Using a black marker: Simply covering the text with a black marker
• Overlay objects: Placing black rectangles or shapes over sensitive content
• Superficial deletions: Removing text while maintaining document version history
• Annotation-based redaction: Using highlight tools or comment boxes to “cover” information

Each of these methods leaves the original data intact and recoverable, creating legal liability and security risks.

Enterprise-Grade Redaction with eViewer HTML5

MS Technology’s eViewer HTML5 addresses these critical security gaps with robust, permanent redaction capabilities designed for enterprise environments. Unlike superficial redaction methods, eViewer’s approach ensures that sensitive information is truly and permanently removed from documents.

Key Features of eViewer HTML5 Redaction:

AI-Powered Automatic Detection: eViewer’s smart redaction technology automatically identifies and redacts sensitive information including:

• Personal Identifying Information (PII)
• Account numbers
• Social Security Numbers
• Financial data
• Custom data patterns defined by your organization

Secure Permanent Removal: Rather than simply hiding information, eViewer permanently removes sensitive data from the document structure while preserving document integrity and formatting.

Multi-Format Support: Redact sensitive information across multiple document formats including PDF, TIFF, Microsoft Office files, and images—all from a single, unified interface.

Permission-Based Redaction: Control who can view redacted content based on user permission levels, allowing different access levels for different users within your organization.

Regulatory Compliance Made Simple

For organizations in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and legal services, proper redaction isn’t just about security—it’s about compliance. eViewer HTML5 helps organizations meet stringent regulatory requirements including:

• GDPR: Ensure personal data protection in European Union operations
• CCPA: Comply with California Consumer Privacy Act requirements
• HIPAA: Protect patient information in healthcare documents
• FINRA: Meet financial industry regulatory standards

The redaction tool integrates seamlessly with existing document management workflows, making compliance an integral part of your daily operations rather than a separate, cumbersome process.

Technical Implementation

Getting started with eViewer HTML5 redaction is straightforward for developers. The solution provides over 100 RESTful APIs along with comprehensive JavaScript and TypeScript support for custom integration.

Basic Implementation Steps:

1. Initialize eViewer HTML5: Configure the document viewer with redaction capabilities enabled
2. Set User Permissions: Define which users can create, view, or remove redactions
3. Configure Redaction Rules: Set up automatic detection patterns for your organization’s sensitive data types
4. Integrate with Workflows: Connect redaction capabilities to your existing document management systems

The zero-footprint architecture means all processing happens server-side, ensuring that sensitive data never leaves your controlled environment during the redaction process.

Advanced Redaction Capabilities

Smart Word Redaction

eViewer provides granular control over text redaction with options for:

• Whole word redaction
• Case-sensitive redaction
• Pattern-based redaction using regular expressions
• Bulk redaction operations

Document Integrity Preservation

One of eViewer’s standout features is its ability to maintain document originality. The system preserves the original document while applying redactions, allowing authorized users to access the complete information when needed while ensuring unauthorized users see only the redacted version.

Reversible Redactions

For internal review processes, eViewer supports temporary redactions that can be reversed based on user permissions. This capability is invaluable for legal teams conducting document reviews or organizations managing information disclosure processes.

Real-World Applications

Legal Industry

Law firms use eViewer HTML5 for eDiscovery processes, ensuring that privileged information is properly redacted before document disclosure while maintaining the ability to review complete documents internally.

Healthcare Organizations

Medical institutions protect patient information in research documents and medical records while enabling necessary information sharing for treatment coordination.

Financial Services

Banks and financial institutions redact sensitive account information and personal data in compliance documentation while maintaining detailed records for regulatory purposes.

Government Agencies

Public sector organizations use eViewer to manage Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, ensuring that sensitive information is properly redacted before public disclosure.

Integration and Scalability

eViewer HTML5’s architecture supports seamless integration with existing enterprise systems including:

• IBM Content Navigator: Enhanced document management with integrated redaction capabilities
• Microsoft Solutions: Direct integration with Office 365 and SharePoint environments
• Custom Applications: Flexible API support for integration with proprietary systems
• Cloud Platforms: Scalable deployment options for organizations of all sizes

Getting Started with Secure Redaction

Organizations looking to implement proper document redaction should prioritize solutions that offer:

1. Permanent data removal rather than superficial hiding
2. Compliance support for relevant regulatory requirements
3. Integration capabilities with existing workflows
4. User permission management for controlled access
5. Audit trails for accountability and compliance reporting

eViewer HTML5 delivers all these capabilities in a single, comprehensive solution that scales from small teams to enterprise-wide deployments.

Conclusion

In an era where data breaches can cost organizations millions of dollars and damage reputations permanently, proper document redaction is not optional, it’s essential. eViewer HTML5 provides the security, compliance, and integration capabilities that modern organizations need to protect sensitive information while maintaining operational efficiency.

Don’t risk your organization’s security with inadequate redaction methods. Implement proper, permanent redaction with eViewer HTML5 and ensure that your sensitive information stays protected.

Ready to secure your documents? Contact MS Technology’s sales team to learn how eViewer HTML5 can protect your organization’s sensitive information with enterprise-grade redaction capabilities.

Start your evaluation today and discover how proper document redaction can enhance your security posture while streamlining compliance processes.