Parallel and hierarchical password protection on specific document sections

A computerized method performed by one or more processors, the method comprising:

• receiving a first request to provide access to an electronic file, the electronic file having a plurality of sections, wherein at least one section is encrypted using a first cryptographic key, the first cryptographic key generated based on a first password using a first key generation mechanism, the received first request associated with a second password, wherein the electronic file is associated with a set of security metadata, the set of security metadata including a set of section definitions identifying encryption applied to at least one of the one or more sections, wherein the set of security metadata is embedded within the electronic file;
• generating a second cryptographic key based on the second password associated with the received first request using the first key generation mechanism;
• comparing the second cryptographic key to the first cryptographic key to determine whether the second cryptographic key is identical to the first cryptographic key;
• in response to determining the second cryptographic key is identical to the first cryptographic key:
• decrypting the at least one section of the electronic file encrypted using the first cryptographic key with the second cryptographic key;
• and
• presenting the electronic file at a user interface, the presented electronic file making visible the at least one section previously encrypted using the first cryptographic key.

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions, the instructions executable by at least one processor and operable when executed to:

• receive a first request to provide access to an electronic file, the electronic file having a plurality of sections, wherein at least one section is encrypted using a first cryptographic key, the first cryptographic key generated based on a first password using a first key generation mechanism, the received first request associated with a second password, wherein the electronic file is associated with a set of security metadata, the set of security metadata including a set of section definitions identifying encryption applied to at least one of the one or more sections, wherein the set of security metadata is embedded within the electronic file;
• generate a second cryptographic key based on the second password associated with the first request using the first key generation mechanism;
• compare the second cryptographic key to the first cryptographic key to determine whether the second cryptographic key is identical to the first cryptographic key;
• in response to determining the second cryptographic key is identical to the first cryptographic key:
• decrypt the at least one section of the electronic file encrypted using the first cryptographic key with the second cryptographic key;
• and
• present the electronic file at a user interface, the presented electronic file making visible the at least one section previously encrypted using the first cryptographic key.

A computerized method performed by one or more processors, the method comprising:

• receiving a first request to provide access to an electronic file, the electronic file having a plurality of sections, wherein at least two of the sections of the electronic file are encrypted using at least two different hierarchical cryptographic keys, wherein a higher level section is associated with a first level of security clearance and is encrypted using a first hierarchical cryptographic key, and wherein a lower level section is associated with a second level of security clearance and is encrypted using a second hierarchical cryptographic key different than the first hierarchical cryptographic key, wherein the second level of security clearance is relatively lower than the first level of security clearance, wherein the second hierarchical cryptographic key is encrypted by the first hierarchical cryptographic key, wherein the first hierarchical cryptographic key is generated based on a first password using a first key generation mechanism and the second hierarchical cryptographic key is generated based on a second password using the first key generation mechanism, and wherein the first request is associated with a third password;
• generating a third hierarchical cryptographic key based on the third password using the first key generation mechanism;
• comparing the third hierarchical cryptographic key to the first hierarchical cryptographic key and the second hierarchical cryptographic key to determine whether the third hierarchical cryptographic key is identical to the first hierarchical cryptographic key or the second hierarchical cryptographic key;
• in response to determining the third hierarchical cryptographic key is identical to the first hierarchical cryptographic key:
• decrypting the higher level section encrypted using the first hierarchical cryptographic key with the third hierarchical cryptographic key;
• decrypting the second hierarchical cryptographic key using the third hierarchical cryptographic key;
• decrypting the lower level section with the decrypted second hierarchical cryptographic key;
• and
• presenting the electronic file at a user interface, the presented electronic file making visible the decrypted higher level section and the decrypted lower level section.