Encrypting ODS Generated PDF Files

You can use ODS to generate PDF output. When these PDF files are not password protected, any user can use Acrobat to view and edit the PDF files. You can encrypt and password-protect your PDF output files by specifying the PDFSECURITY system option. Two levels of security are available: 40-bit (low) and 128-bit (high). With either of these settings, a password is required to open a PDF file that has been generated with ODS.

You can find information about using the ODS PRINTER and PDF statements in the SAS Output Delivery System: User's Guide. The following table lists the PDF system options that are available to restrict or allow users' ability to access, assemble, copy, or modify ODS PDF files. Other SAS system options control whether the user can fill in forms and set the print resolution. These system options are documented in SAS System Options: Reference.