Secure Files Documentation Update 2026 01 14

Secure Files Documentation Update - January 14, 2026

Update Summary

Updated the File Upload and File Access Logs documentation (article 1362) to include comprehensive details about secure files functionality and logging capabilities.

What Was Updated

File Location

File: docs\exported-articles\Logging and Audits\(No Section)\1362-file-upload-and-file-access-logs.html

Changes Made

1. Added Overview of Secure Files
   • Added definition explaining what secure files are
   • Documented time-limited signed URLs (10-minute expiration)
   • Clarified that secure files are stored in private S3 buckets
   • Explained comprehensive logging of all access attempts
2. Enhanced Secure File Download Log Information
   • Added "Location" field to the tracked information list
   • Added "Device Information" field to the tracked information list
   • Added note about signed URL expiration time (10 minutes)
3. Added New Section: Secure File Access Controls
   • Documented three access restriction options:
     • Restrict by Logged-In User Field
     • Restrict by Logged-In Role
     • Restrict by Role or Field (OR Logic)
   • Added important notes about secure file limitations and behaviors

Why These Updates Were Made

Addressing Documentation Gaps

The documentation review identified several gaps where information was scattered across multiple articles but not consolidated in the main logging documentation:

• Missing Log Fields: Location and device information were mentioned in the general file management overview (article 1335) but not detailed in the logging documentation.
• Signed URL Expiration: The 10-minute expiration for signed URLs was only mentioned in article 1335, not in the main field documentation or logging documentation.
• Access Control Features: Advanced access restriction options (by user field, by role, or combined) were documented separately in the security update (article 1690) but not integrated into the main logging documentation.
• Secure File Overview: There was no clear, consolidated explanation of what secure files are and how they work at the beginning of the logging article.

Improving User Understanding

These updates ensure that users reading about file logging have complete information about:

• What secure files are and how they function
• All fields tracked in secure file download logs
• Available access control options for secure files
• Important limitations and behaviors of secure files
• Storage and security mechanisms (private S3 buckets, signed URLs)

Answering Common User Questions

The updates directly address two key questions users have:

1. "How do secure files work?" - Now comprehensively explained with technical details about signed URLs, storage, and access controls.
2. "Can I see logs of who downloaded files?" - Clearly answered with detailed list of all tracked information including user, IP, location, device, timestamp, and more.

Sources Referenced

Information was consolidated from the following existing articles:

• Article 1335: Managing File Uploads and Storage in Tadabase
• Article 1690: Security Update - Enhanced Access Controls for Attachment Fields
• Article 537: New Feature - Secure Files in Pipes with Signed URLs
• Article 166: File and Image Fields (Manual)

Update Metadata

• Date: January 14, 2026
• Updated By: Claude Code AI Assistant
• Article Updated: 1362 - File Upload and File Access Logs
• Update Type: Documentation Enhancement
• Impact: Improved user understanding of secure files and logging capabilities