How to Delete PCI Data in SharePoint Automatically

SharePoint provides version control, metadata, and document storage, but it does not scan files for sensitive data or delete them automatically when PCI is found. This creates PCI DSS compliance gaps across multiple requirements (3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5).

Key SharePoint limitations:

• No automated deletion of files containing PCI
• No detection of PCI inside PDFs, scans, or images
• No removal of historical versions containing PCI
• No deletion of synced OneDrive content containing sensitive data
• No rules for auto-removal based on PCI classification
• No workflow to remove PCI from shared or externally accessed libraries
• No alert + delete automated processes

Without automated deletion, PCI can remain in SharePoint libraries for years—often undiscovered.

What (PCI) Credit Card Numbers Exposure Looks Like Inside SharePoint Files

PCI frequently enters SharePoint because many business processes rely on document uploads. Files that often contain PCI include:

• PDF invoices with full credit card numbers
• Scanned authorization forms
• Photos or screenshots of customer payment cards
• Bank statements and ACH forms
• CSV exports from billing systems
• Emails saved as files containing card data
• ZIP folders with multiple financial documents

Sensitive examples Strac detects and deletes:

• 4111 1111 1111 1111
• 4242-4242-4242-4242
• 5500 0000 0000 0004
• Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover numbers
• Bank account + routing combinations
• IBAN and SWIFT formats
• PCI embedded in images, text layers, or PDFs
• PCI hidden inside versioned files or archived folders

Deletion must include all versions and duplicates to ensure full PCI removal.

✨What It Means to Delete (PCI) Credit Card Numbers in SharePoint

Deleting PCI in SharePoint is not just about removing the file from a library—it must include:

• File deletion from primary library
• Deletion of all historical versions
• Removal of synced OneDrive copies
• Cleanup of folder structures
• Removal of external or guest links
• Removal of cached previews and document thumbnails
• Ensuring PCI does not replicate in workflow automations

Manual deletion cannot handle this complexity.

Strac’s automated deletion engine supports:

• Full file removal when PCI is detected
• Version-by-version cleanup
• Targeted deletion (only PCI-containing pages/attachments)
• Automated removal workflows
• Custom deletion rules (by department, site, risk level)
• Complete audit trails for compliance teams

How to Automatically Delete (PCI) Credit Card Numbers in SharePoint with Strac

Strac continuously scans SharePoint for PCI data. When detected, it can automatically delete the file—or escalate for approval based on your rules.

How Strac deletion works:

• Inspects files uploaded or modified in real time
• Identifies PCI using AI, OCR, and content-aware scanning
• Deletes the file (or specific portion) immediately
• Logs every action with timestamps
• Removes back versions containing PCI
• Cleans synced OneDrive libraries
• Blocks the file from returning
• Notifies security and compliance teams

Organizations can configure:

• Automatic delete
• Alert + delete
• Delete with approval workflow
• Delete only in specific libraries or sites
• Delete only external-facing content

This ensures PCI is fully removed from the SharePoint environment.

Real Examples of (PCI) Credit Card Numbers Deletion in SharePoint

Example 1 — Employee uploads invoice PDF with full card number
Strac deletes the file and removes historical versions.

Example 2 — Screenshot of a credit card stored in a shared folder
OCR detects PCI and deletion occurs instantly.

Example 3 — Bank forms synced from OneDrive
Strac deletes the file from SharePoint and clears local sync references.

Example 4 — Old archive folder contains multiple PCI documents
Strac performs bulk deletion across all subfolders.

Each deletion is logged for PCI DSS audits.

Why Strac Is the Best Way to Delete (PCI) Credit Card Numbers in SharePoint

• Automated PCI deletion across SharePoint + OneDrive
• AI + OCR detection for images, PDFs, scans, and spreadsheets
• Real-time + historical scanning
• Removes file versions and duplicates
• Supports custom deletion rules and approvals
• Full compliance audit logs
• Protects against PCI exposure during sync and sharing

🌶️Spicy FAQs on How to Delete (PCI) Credit Card Numbers in SharePoint

Does SharePoint support automatic deletion of PCI data?

No. SharePoint cannot detect or delete credit card or bank account information.

Can Strac delete PCI inside scanned PDFs and images?

Yes. OCR identifies PCI and deletes the file automatically.

Will Strac delete old versions too?

Yes. Strac removes prior versions containing PCI.

Can Strac delete PCI synced from OneDrive?

Yes. The deletion removes synced copies and blocks re-upload.

Does Strac help with PCI DSS requirements?

Yes. Automated deletion aligns with PCI DSS data retention, masking, and storage minimization requirements.

Try Strac for SharePoint (PCI) Credit Card Numbers Deletion & DLP

Strac helps organizations automatically detect, classify, and delete credit card numbers and bank account information across SharePoint libraries, archived folders, and synced OneDrive content—ensuring PCI never remains stored in non-compliant environments.