What this portal is, and why it's secure
Your investigator invited you to a private client portal. What you'll see there, how your case is protected, and what happens when the case closes.
On this page
Why you were invited
Your investigator uses PIToolkit to manage your case. Instead of emailing attachments or texting updates, they’ve invited you to a client portal: a private place where you can follow your case, download reports and files they share with you, and message them.
What “secure” means here
Case material is encrypted in your investigator’s browser before it’s stored, and decrypted in yours when you open it. The company that runs PIToolkit can’t read the contents of your case: the reports, files and messages. That isn’t a promise not to look; the system is built so we can’t. That protects your case from anyone who gets into PIToolkit’s servers or backups, including our own staff. It can’t protect you if the code your browser loads from PIToolkit has been tampered with.
When you first set up your account, your browser creates your own encryption keys, protected by your password. Your investigator checks a safety code with you, by phone or in person, so they know what they share with you can be opened only by you and them. You’ll find your code on your account page under Your safety code.
What you’ll see
- Your cases. Each case is listed by its type and the date it was opened, for example “Surveillance, opened” and a date, rather than by name.
- Progress. The case’s current stage, such as “Active Investigation” or “Preparing your report”, and how far along it is.
- Updates. A timeline of what’s happened: when the case moved to a new stage, when a report was shared with you, and when evidence was added for you. Your investigator’s private working notes are never shown.
- Files. Reports your investigator has published to you, and evidence they’ve chosen to share.
- Messages. A private conversation with your investigator about this case.
One account for every case
If you work with more than one investigator who uses PIToolkit, or one investigator gives you access to several cases, you use the same account for all of them. Each case shows the branding of the firm it belongs to. If you work with more than one firm, your portal home page stays neutral rather than showing one firm’s branding over another’s.
When a case closes
Your investigator decides how long you keep access to a closed case. When they close it, you’re emailed the date your access ends. In the last 30 days, your portal also shows a reminder to download anything you want to keep. Anything you’ve downloaded stays yours. If you need access for longer, ask your investigator.