Overview This technical note explains the procedure for performing bulk text-based redactions using a combination of the Lexbe eDiscovery Platform (LEP) and Adobe Acrobat Pro. Background LEP can identify documents containing Personal Identifiable Information (PII) through the use of specific search options. Once identified, the LEP in-line redaction tool functions on a per-document, per-redaction basis. This works well for most redactions. However, sometimes hundreds or thousands of documents may need to be redacted using repetitive text and data types. Adobe Acrobat Pro is the best of class tool for this requirement and allows text and pattern searching and bulk redactions across a document collection. A strong feature of Abobe Acrobat Pro is redaction can be done by common PII patterns, including Social Security Numbers, Phone Numbers, Credit Cards, and Email Addresses. Documents identified in LEP for redaction can be exported to the desktop, bulk redacted using Adobe Acrobat Pro, and reimported into the same document record in LEP, then showing up as a redacted document on the Redaction Tab in the LEP viewer.
Recommended Workflow
Cautions We recommend using Adobe Acrobat Pro for this procedure as the PDF file type is complex and Adobe is the most reliable and advanced tool for this purpose. Mass redaction relies on many factors, including the PDF being non-corrupt, the redaction tool being accurate, the text being accurate, and other factors. If OCR is used in the PDF creation this may lead to lower quality redaction results. For these and other reasons, we recommend a robust QC procedure be used to check redactions after any mass or bulk redaction procedure. QC Procedure The recommended manual QC process includes spot checking individual documents after redactions are applied in Adobe as well as a spot check search and review within LEP after the redacted documents have been merged. In LEP, search the word, phrase or PII pattern and spot check the results. Open the document and verify the hit on the Hits tab, confirm there is a redacted document in the Redacted tab and ensure the hit is redacted on the Redacted document. Additional Information Lexbe’s Professional Services staff can perform the bulk text-based redaction procedure upon request as a billable service. For more information, please contact professionalservices@lexbe.com |