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Securing PDF files... best approach ?

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    Securing PDF files... best approach ?

    My application allow users to upload PDF documents. These PDF files have confidential information and are stored on the server.

    I am now concerned that an administrator or user with file access can view the contents of the PDF.

    I am however aware of the following approaches:

    Approach 1 : When generating the PDF, make Alpha secure the PDF by adding a password
    Problem with this approach is that the user has to be entering a password to view contents each time. At times, the user needs to quickly view several PDFs.

    Approach 2: Save the PDF to a database or save the PDF to a non-SQL database such as Mongo
    Problem: Still hoping there is a simpler way

    Approach 3: Use Amazon s3
    Problem: I prefer to use a local solution rather than remote

    So, I would like to know if anyone knows of another way to secure PDFs on the server.

    #2
    Re: Securing PDF files... best approach ?

    What do you mean by "with file access"? Your application will dictate who can get to the location where they can click some button to view a PDF.
    Steve Wood
    See my profile on IADN

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Securing PDF files... best approach ?

      I am speaking outside of the application (i.e. at the level of the Operating System)
      File Access -> the PDF is stored on the hard drive and a network admin or Windows user may have direct access to the actual file.

      Why am I worried about this ? Certain industries such as healthcare require secure records at every level.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Securing PDF files... best approach ?

        Thanks, wanted to make sure I understood what you meant. I am an Alpha expert but not so with IT. My most strict client is under rules by NIST and HIPAA and he had me sign a document declaring my confidentiality. He has a separate machine just for documents and other resources and his IT department has that machine inaccessible except for specific individuals. My role on the Alpha side is to fetch those documents for online users according to specification.
        Steve Wood
        See my profile on IADN

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Securing PDF files... best approach ?

          My experience is similar to Steve's whereas the developer or a System Admin signs non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements.

          You can have these PDF's stored on another machine or network drive and then only people with login credentials for that separate machine/network drive will have access.
          Mike Brown - Contact Me
          Programmatic Technologies, LLC
          Programmatic-Technologies.com
          Independent Developer & Consultant​​

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Securing PDF files... best approach ?

            You can use SQL server's FILESTREAM feature that does not store the PDF in the SQL table itself but does manage the PDF files and I don't think those files can be approached by anything else than SQL server itself.
            Or you could simply put (& encrypt) them in your SQL table as pointed out in this article http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2...rver-yes-or-no

            Other suggestion would be to SET a password on the uploaded PDF's using Imagemagick for example.
            Frank

            Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand

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