Confidential map data

Introduction

You can create a map including sensitive data you don't want to be exposed to the public. Scribble Maps provides methods you can use to keep your data secure and private.

In this article, we will talk about the security of maps and map data.

Secure option for accessing maps

To make sure a map can't be publicly viewed, you can select the Secure option when saving the map. 

Note: To learn how to save maps, visit this link:
Save a map

• If the creator of the secure map is logged in to their account.
• If the user is invited to view the map via the Manage Users feature OR the Team web app.
  See section: Limiting access to map passwords

You can test whether the map is secure by copying the Share Link URL into your browser’s private/incognito window.

Note: To learn about the Share Link URL, visit this link:
Save a map > (Optional - after you click "Save Map") - Learn the purpose of the "Map ID" and 3 links in the "Map Saved" window

Since the private/incognito browser doesn't consider you logged in to Scribble Maps, you can check whether other users will be asked for the password.

• How to open the incognito window in Chrome.
• How to enable private browsing in Safari.

Encryption option for accessing maps

You can save a map with military standard encryption. To learn how visit this link: Encryption

Data context is important

Note: We recommend a policy of avoiding the use of explicit names in confidential map data.

For example:
If you create a map including a marker on your house and a map title of "My House". You can share the map with the world because the information is only useful to the people who know the map is from you. The situation is no different than anyone looking at a map on Google. However, if you label the marker with your name, there is a potential privacy issue.

Limiting access to map passwords

The more people who have access to map data, the more likely there will be a security breach.

• Users who can access the map.
• Role-based permissions each user has.

Note: You improve security by enabling map access through user accounts, because you don’t need to share map passwords.

If you will be collaborating on a single map, we recommend you use the Manage Users feature when saving. To learn how visit this link:
Intro to the Manage Users feature - Collaborate on a single map 

If you will be collaborating on multiple maps, we recommend you use the Team web app. To learn how visit this link: Intro to the Team web app - Collaborate on multiple maps  

Note: If you decide to use map passwords, we recommend you do not share the passwords with your entire company. Passwords should be shared verbally or via a password manager service, such as: LastPass

How to limit shared data by creating a new map

If a map has sensitive data subsets, you can create a new map only including the specific subset you want to share.

1. In the Layers Panel, use folders to group the data subsets by sensitivity level.

   Notes:
   To use the Layers Panel, you must be logged-in to a Pro account. To learn how to upgrade, visit this link: How to upgrade to a Pro account

    

   To learn how to use folders, visit this link:
   Add an overlay to a group/folder

    
2. Save the original map.

   Note: To learn how to save maps, visit this link:
   Save a map

    
3. Delete the folders you don't want to share.

   Delete a folder by clicking the Garbage Bin on the folder's row in the Layers Panel.

    
4. Save the new map.
   • Make sure you create a new, unique Map ID when saving the new map.
     In most cases, you can just add a letter or number to the original map's ID.
   • (Optional) We recommend you also add an identifier to the title of the new map.
     For example, you can add " - 2" to the end of the title.

   (Optional) To learn how to save maps, visit this link:
   Save a map

    
5. Share the map.

   Notes:
   Learn about the URL links you can use to share the map:
   Save a map > (Optional - after you click "Save Map") - Learn the purpose of the "Map ID" and 3 links in the "Map Saved" window

    

   Learn how to share confidential map data:
   Limiting access to map passwords

    

Further information

We're constantly improving security and working on new methods to keep data secure. If you have any questions about map security, send us a message at: support@scribblemaps.com