What is the only proper way to secure the text behind a redaction?

The only proper way to secure the text behind a redaction is to ensure that the original text is completely removed from the document, which aligns with the practice of producing a document that does not contain any sensitive information in the first place. When a document is produced containing redacted text, it is critical that the underlying sensitive content is wholly eliminated to prevent unauthorized access or accidental disclosure.

If the text is simply masked in the viewer, it could still be recoverable by individuals knowledgeable about document manipulation or forensic examination. Similarly, merely altering permissions on the document doesn’t guarantee that the sensitive information is not accessible, as individuals with the right permissions could still view or extract the data. Deleting the text from the document itself would not be sufficient if the document itself is produced with the redactions visible. Therefore, producing a document that does not contain the sensitive information at all is the proper approach for securing text behind a redaction.