Uploading Documents
Documents are central to processing DSARs. SAR Portal provides secure document upload, storage, and processing capabilities.
Uploading Documents
Documents are attached through case actions
There is no standalone upload button or drag-and-drop area on the case page. Instead, documents are attached as part of a case action, using a standard file picker:
- Request Info - attach documents when requesting information from a subject
- Submit Info - attach documents when a case is Awaiting Information
- Close Case - attach the final response documents when closing a case
In each of these dialogs, click to open the file picker and choose one or more files (hold Ctrl on Windows or Cmd on Mac to select several at once).
What Happens After You Select Files
- Redactable files are scanned for personal data automatically and you are taken to the Review Detected PII screen (see AI-Powered Redaction)
- Once you confirm and attach, the documents appear in the case’s document list
File Requirements
Supported Formats
| Format | Extensions | Max Size |
|---|---|---|
| 100 MB (10 MB on trial) | ||
| Word | .docx, .dotx, .docm, .dotm | 100 MB (10 MB on trial) |
| Excel | .xlsx, .xlsm, .xltx, .xltm | 100 MB (10 MB on trial) |
| PowerPoint | .pptx, .pptm, .potx, .potm | 100 MB (10 MB on trial) |
| Images | .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .bmp, .tiff, .tif, .webp | 100 MB (10 MB on trial) |
| .eml, .msg (auto-converted to .eml) | 100 MB (10 MB on trial) | |
| Text | .txt, .csv, .log, .md, .json, .xml, .html, .css, .js | 100 MB (10 MB on trial) |
File Validation
All uploads are validated for:
- File type (based on content, not just extension)
- File size limits
- Virus scanning
- Format integrity
Document List
Uploaded documents appear in a list showing:
- File name
- File type icon
- Upload date
- File size
- Upload source (manual or from subject)
- Available actions
Document Actions
View
Open the document in your browser (if format supports it).
Download
Save a copy to your local device.
Delete
Remove the document from the case. Admin-only, and only while the case is open and the subscription is active. Opens a Delete Document dialog where you choose a reason (Wrong File, Duplicate, Sensitive, User Request, or Other) and optionally add notes. This is a soft delete — the file is archived and can be restored until the case is closed.
File Integrity & Verification
File Integrity Hashing
Every document uploaded to SAR Portal is automatically hashed using SHA-256:
- On Upload - Hash computed and stored with the document
- On Access - Hash can be verified to ensure file hasn’t been modified
- In Audit Logs - Hash recorded for compliance evidence
Why This Matters
File integrity hashing provides:
- Tamper Detection - Know if a file has been altered
- Audit Evidence - Prove document authenticity in investigations
- Compliance - Meet regulatory requirements for data integrity
- Chain of Custody - Document handling for legal purposes
Viewing File Hash
- Open the document details
- View the File Integrity section
- SHA-256 hash is displayed
- Compare with original if needed
Document Storage
Security
- All documents encrypted at rest (AES-256)
- Encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+)
- Stored in EU data centers
- Access controlled by tenant isolation
- File integrity verified via SHA-256 hashing
Storage Limits
| Plan | Storage Limit |
|---|---|
| Basic | 2 GB |
| Starter | 10 GB |
| Pro | 50 GB |
| Enterprise | Fair-use |
Monitor your usage on the Dashboard.
Soft Delete & Recovery
When documents are deleted:
- Document is marked as deleted (not immediately removed)
- Archived to a separate location
- Can be restored until the case is closed
- Permanently deleted when case closes
Deletion Requirements
- Only admins can delete documents
- Deletion reason must be provided
- Optional notes can be added
- Full audit trail created
Recovery
To restore a deleted document (Admin-only, while the case is still open):
- Find the document in the deleted documents section
- Click Restore
- The document returns to the case
Upload Sources
Documents can come from:
Manual Upload
Documents you upload directly from your computer.
Subject Upload
Documents uploaded by the data subject through the public portal.
Batch Upload
Multiple documents uploaded at once for batch processing.
Best Practices
Naming Conventions
Use clear, descriptive file names:
john-smith-email-records-2024.pdfcustomer-database-extract.xlsxid-verification-passport.jpg
Organization
- Upload related documents to the same case
- Use the notes field to describe document contents
- Mark source documents vs processed outputs
Before Responding
- Review all documents for completeness
- Ensure personal data of others is redacted
- Verify file formats are accessible to the subject
Storage Management
- Delete unnecessary duplicates
- Remove draft versions after finals are ready
- Archive cases when complete to free storage