🔒 Comprehensive Guide to File Anonymization

Welcome to the professional documentation for securely anonymizing sensitive data using our platform. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from file upload to applying anonymization configurations and saving your anonymized files.

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Step 1: Select New FileSafe Run

To begin, select a new FileSafe run from the sidebar. This will initiate the anonymization process.

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📤 Step 2: Upload Your File

Upload your data file in .xlsx or .csv format by following these steps:

1. Click the ‘Choose a file’ button.
2. Select your file from your device.
3. You can use one of the available sample files to explore the process.

📝 Note: The first row of your file will be treated as the header, and the platform will use it as field names for the anonymization process. Ensure your headers are accurate.

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🔍 Step 3: Derive PII

Once your file is uploaded, use the Derive PII function to automatically identify fields containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This step will categorize sensitive information within your dataset, allowing you to apply appropriate anonymization rules. Click on the ‘Derive PII’ button to initiate this identification, which will help streamline the process of securing your data.

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Step 4: Select Collaboration Group or Create a New One

Collaboration groups help maintain consistency across different datasets. Select an existing group or create a new one to ensure uniform application of anonymization rules across projects.

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🛠️ Step 5: Configure Utility Parameters and Conditions

After uploading your file, it’s time to configure utility parameters and their corresponding conditions for each data field.

Utility Parameters and Conditions Table

Utility Parameter	Conditions	Description
No Change	N/A	Leaves the data unchanged.
Clear Values	N/A	Clears or wipes out the data in the selected fields.
Email	Dummy Domain, Keep Domain, All Caps	Anonymizes email addresses with additional formatting options.
Name	First Name, Last Name, All Caps, Full Name	Handles name fields with specific conditions for first name, last name, etc.
Consistent ID	N/A	Generates a consistent identifier for tracking across records.
Fixed Value	Text Field for user to enter a Fixed Value	Replaces the field with the fixed value entered by the user in the text field.
Date	Same Year, Random, Adult, Consistent	Anonymizes date fields while retaining some options for consistency.
Phone Number	REMOVE_COUNTRY_CODE, RANDOM	Add the two conditions
Number	N/A	Randomizes or anonymizes numerical data.
Custom Expressions	N/A	For File Safe this is not a supported feature. Therefore, remove it from the table.

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Condition-Specific Details:

1. Email Conditions:

   • Dummy Domain: Replaces the email domain (e.g., example.com).
   • Keep Domain: Retains the original domain while anonymizing the rest of the email.
   • All Caps: Anonymizes the complete email and converts the entire email to uppercase.

2. Name Conditions:

   • First Name: Anonymizes only the first name field.
   • Last Name: Anonymizes only the last name field.
   • All Caps: Anonymizes the name and converts the name to uppercase
   • Full Name: Anonymizes the entire full name as a single unit.

3. Date Conditions:

   • Same Year: Keeps the year consistent across all records.
   • Random: Randomizes the entire date.
   • Adult: Ensures the date reflects an adult age.
   • Consistent: Keeps the date consistent across records.

4. Phone Conditions:

   • Remove_Country_Code: Removes the country code but generates a consistent anonymized value for the remaining phone number.
   • Random: Anonymizes the complete phone number.

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💾 Step 6: Save the Anonymized File

Once the utility parameters and conditions have been set, proceed to save the anonymized version of your file:

1. Select the file group, utility set, and confirm the parameters.
2. Click the ‘Execute’ button.
3. A pop-up will appear. Enter the desired file name.
4. Click ‘Submit’ to start the anonymization process.

🚀 Post-Submission: After submission, you’ll be redirected to the History page where you can track the status of your job.

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🔄 Step 7: Monitor Job Status

Navigate to the History page to check the progress of your anonymization job:

1. Use the ‘Refresh’ button in the top-right corner.
2. The status will update (e.g., ‘In Progress’, ‘FINISHED’).

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PII Type Derivation

You can easily identify PII (Personal Identifiable Information) types by clicking on the respective button. This will categorize the fields that contain sensitive information, helping you apply the right anonymization rules.

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🎯 Conclusion

By following these steps, you can securely anonymize your data with ease. If you encounter any difficulties, our support team is always available to assist.