Abstract: Many areas of investigation require searching through data that may be of interest. In a first method step, a digital content element is provided. The digital content element may have any suitable format or data structure of interest to a searching entity. The digital content element may be a particular data file that is of interest to a searching entity. In a second step, the digital content element is compared with a first set of data provided by a combination of a second set of data and a third set of data. The first set of data is a collection of known digital content elements that are of interest to a searching entity, for example contraband digital content elements or digital content elements owned by or represented by the searching entity. In a third method step, the digital content element is identified as known if the digital content element is detected within the first set of data.

Abstract: A management request is received by a system for carrying out one or more data management operations (including, but not limited to, adding data, merging data or searching for data). The management request is received from a requesting entity. The system comprises a representation database, which comprises at least one secure element. The at least one secure element is a representation of at least one dataset containing confidential data elements stored in at least one database owned or operated by a third party entity. The management request is processed by performing at least one operation, for example by a processing component in the system, on the representation database. In a third step, a processing result is provided, which comprises any suitable information or data content. The processing result is dependent on the contents of the management request.