Bluebeam Tip: Pre- and Post-Redaction Summaries for Audit-Ready Redaction Workflows

Turn sensitive data handling into a repeatable, auditable process by generating a Redaction Summary before and after you apply redactions.

• Identify sensitive content:
  • Use Search (text or pattern) to locate PII, financials, or legal references and Mark for Redaction.
  • Add a clear note in the Comments field (for example: “GDPR – phone number”).
• Standardize metadata for audits:
  • In the Markups List, add Custom Columns such as “Redaction Reason,” “Policy,” and “Ticket/Case #.”
  • Use Status values like Proposed, Approved, and Applied to track progress.
• Filter to just redactions:
  • In the Markups List, filter by Type = Redaction (or Subject contains “Redaction”).
• Create the Redaction Summary (pre-apply):
  • Markups List > Summary > choose PDF Summary (with snapshots) or CSV for spreadsheets.
  • Include columns for Page, Author, Date, Status, and your custom fields for complete traceability.
• Apply redactions:
  • Use Apply Redactions to permanently remove underlying content (don’t rely on Flatten to hide data).
• Create the Redaction Summary (post-apply):
  • Generate a second Summary to document final outcomes and any unresolved items.
  • Digitally sign the Summary PDF to seal the record.

Best practices:

• Save a “Redaction Review” Profile and share it across teams for consistent columns, filters, and statuses. If you’re scaling across departments, consult NOVEDGE for deployment guidance.
• Store both pre- and post-apply summaries with your project records to satisfy internal controls and external audits. For procurement and licensing options, see NOVEDGE.
• Use CSV exports to reconcile redactions against policy checklists or case IDs. Need help building standardized templates? Reach out to NOVEDGE.

Result: a defensible, end-to-end redaction trail that proves what was found, why it was removed, who approved it, and when it was finalized—ready for compliance audits at any time.

You can find all the Bluebeam products on the NOVEDGE web site at this page.