Glossary · Data room features
Granular permissions
Also called granular access, document permissions, folder permissions, user permissions
Definition
Granular permissions let a data room administrator decide, for each user group and each folder or file, whether people can see it at all, view only, download, or print. They keep competing bidders apart, stage what each party can see, and protect the most sensitive material.
Where granular permissions comes up
On this site, in our guides and in the conversations we've written up.
Guide What is a virtual data room? Around that core sit the features that make a deal run, granular permissions, watermarking, redaction, a structured question and answer workflow, and reporting on who looked at what. Guide How to choose a virtual data room Security and compliance: certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2), encryption, data residency, and granular permissions. Guide Intralinks VDR review: the security veteran, with a learning curve It offers enterprise-grade encryption, detailed audit trails and granular permissions that let administrators control exactly who can open each folder and document. Guide Admincontrol VDR review: a data room you can start straight away As you would expect for a tool used in sensitive transactions, Admincontrol has a strong reputation for security: granular permissions down to folder and document level, multi-factor authentication, encrypted document storage and a full… Guide Drooms VDR review: European data sovereignty, with a few caveats It offers two-factor authentication, granular access permissions and document watermarking, plus built-in redaction tools. 
Video · VirtualData-Room.com Admincontrol review: a data room you can start straight away Granular permissions, multi-factor authentication, encryption and GDPR credentials
AI search, structured Q&A, engagement insights and deal management tools
Power users and global deals may want more advanced customisation
Do you remember… 
Video · VirtualData-Room.com Ansarada review: the whole deal, with AI that reads your bidders ISO 27001 certification, SOC 2 attestation, watermarking and folder and document permissions
Remote Doc Destruct revokes access to documents even after download
AIDA answers questions about the data room; AI Predict estimates bidder… 
Video · VirtualData-Room.com Datasite review: maximum functionality, at a price Enterprise security with granular document permissions and full audit trails
Users mention frequent two-factor and log-in prompts
Powerful but overfacing for newer users, with a confusing dashboard at first
Engagement insights down to page… 
Video · VirtualData-Room.com Drooms review: European data sovereignty, with a few caveats It offers two factor authentication, granular access permissions, document watermarking, these really key elements of security during these deals. 
Video · VirtualData-Room.com Intralinks review: experienced leader or due a refresh? Built for large, complex deals: detailed folders, bidder groups, granular permissions
Experienced teams rate it highly; occasional users find it dated and full of options
Well-reviewed analytics, integrated Q&A, AI redaction and full audit…
Video · VirtualData-Room.com Admincontrol review: a data room you can start straight away Granular permissions, multi-factor authentication, encryption and GDPR credentials
AI search, structured Q&A, engagement insights and deal management tools
Power users and global deals may want more advanced customisation
Do you remember… Video · VirtualData-Room.com Ansarada review: the whole deal, with AI that reads your bidders ISO 27001 certification, SOC 2 attestation, watermarking and folder and document permissions
Remote Doc Destruct revokes access to documents even after download
AIDA answers questions about the data room; AI Predict estimates bidder… Video · VirtualData-Room.com Datasite review: maximum functionality, at a price Enterprise security with granular document permissions and full audit trails
Users mention frequent two-factor and log-in prompts
Powerful but overfacing for newer users, with a confusing dashboard at first
Engagement insights down to page… Video · VirtualData-Room.com Drooms review: European data sovereignty, with a few caveats It offers two factor authentication, granular access permissions, document watermarking, these really key elements of security during these deals. Video · VirtualData-Room.com Intralinks review: experienced leader or due a refresh? Built for large, complex deals: detailed folders, bidder groups, granular permissions
Experienced teams rate it highly; occasional users find it dated and full of options
Well-reviewed analytics, integrated Q&A, AI redaction and full audit… Related terms
Dynamic watermarking Stamping each viewer's name, email or time on documents as they open them, to discourage leaks. Fence view A viewing mode that shows only a strip of the document at a time, to block screenshots and shoulder surfing. Clean team A small, ring-fenced group allowed to see a competitor's sensitive data during a deal, under strict rules. Audit trail The data room's record of who opened, downloaded or printed which document, and when. Board portal Software for running board meetings: agendas, board packs, votes and minutes. Data room index The numbered folder structure of a data room, which acts as its table of contents. Deal room Another name for a virtual data room: a secure online space for sharing deal documents with outside parties. Engagement analytics Reports that show which bidders and users are reading which documents, and how much.