Redacting Restricted Content in Data Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in effectively limiting access to restricted content within data files, particularly in ensuring that unauthorized users or systems cannot access sensitive information even if they obtain a redacted version of the file.
Innovation Solution
A file editor identifies restricted content in data files and generates a redacted version without including the restricted content. This restricted content is stored separately, and a file renderer retrieves it only when compliance rules are satisfied, allowing it to combine with the redacted version and present the unredacted file to authorized users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If restricted content is embedded within the data file structure, then the content can be easily retrieved and combined with the redacted version, but unauthorized users can also access and extract the restricted content from the file structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the content management system into separate components: the redacted data file and the restricted content are stored as independent entities. The file editor application manages the association between them through metadata without embedding the restricted content within the file structure. This segmentation ensures that unauthorized users cannot access restricted content simply by obtaining the redacted file, while the system maintains the ability to retrieve and combine them when authorized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary mechanism that associates restricted content with the redacted data file without creating a direct structural embedding. The metadata contains references or identifiers that enable the file editor to retrieve the appropriate restricted content when needed, while preventing unauthorized direct access to the content itself. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by enabling content retrieval while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If restricted content is stored separately from the redacted version, then unauthorized users cannot access it even if they obtain the redacted file, but retrieving and combining the content requires additional compliance checks and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the association between restricted content and redacted files through metadata during the content creation or redaction process. Compliance rules are pre-configured and attached to the restricted content. When an authorized user requests the restricted content, the system can quickly retrieve it by checking the pre-established associations and evaluating the pre-configured compliance rules, rather than performing complex searches or evaluations at the moment of access. This reduces the operational burden while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If compliance rules are strictly enforced before retrieving restricted content, then data security is maintained, but authorized users experience delays and additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring compliance rules and pre-establishing user permissions associated with restricted content during the content creation or redaction process. When an authorized user requests restricted content, the system evaluates the pre-configured compliance rules against the user's credentials. For users who have been pre-authorized, the compliance check is rapid and automated, significantly reducing access time compared to performing comprehensive verification at the moment of access. This maintains strict security enforcement while minimizing time loss for authorized users.
Data Source
AI summary
Restricted content of a data file is identified. The restricted content is removed from the data file, and a redacted version of the data file is generated. The restricted content is stored separate from the redacted version of the data file.