---
title: "Decrypt and Verify File"
slug: "decrypt-and-verify-file-1"
updated: 2025-12-08T20:18:22Z
published: 2025-12-08T20:18:22Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/decrypt-and-verify-file-1"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Decrypt and Verify File

| ## Step Details |
| --- |
| **Introduced in Version** | 9.18.0 |
| **Last Modified in Version** | -- |
| **Location** | PGP |

The **Decrypt and Verify File** step enables Users to decrypt a PGP file that has been digitally signed.

### Prerequisites

- This step requires the [PGP module](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/pgp-module-overview#overview) to be [installed](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/installing-modules-decisions) before it will be available in the toolbox.
- Users must download [GPG](https://www.gnupg.org/download/) before utilizing this and other PGP steps.

### Considerations

In v9.18, PGP steps were moved to a legacy category, and new steps were added. While the new PGP steps use an updated encryption/decryption approach (based on **AEAD/OCB** **mode**), both categories of steps can be utilized as they have the same functionality.

---

## Properties

#### Inputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| File | The desired signed file to decrypt. Using an encrypted PGP file will not throw an error but will not decrypt the file. | FileData |
| Private Key | Generated PGP Private Key file | List of Byte |
| Private Key Password | Password for the specified Private Key file | String |
| Public Key | Generated Public Key file | List of Byte |

#### Outputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Output | Outputs the decrypted file | FileData |

---

## Example Inputs and Outputs

| File | Private Key | Private Key Password | Public Key | Output |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| NewsignedFile.txt | p-sec.asc | flex | open-pub.asc | Id: "99cd43fb-129f-4723-840b-feea020760f8",FileName: "NewsignedFile.txt",Length: 7,FileType: ".txt" |
| encrypted_sample.pdf | p-sec.asc | flex | open-pub.asc | data: {} |
| Null | p-sec.asc | flex | open-pub.asc | EXCEPTION MESSAGE |
| example.txt | Empty | flex | open-pub.asc | EXCEPTION MESSAGE |
| example.txt | p-sec.asc | Null | open-pub.asc | Id: "8957e8ad-f8c3-478e-9c08-446592f67890",FileName: "example.txt",Length: 327,FileType: ".txt" |
| sample.pdf | p-sec.asc | flex | Null | EXCEPTION MESSAGE |

#### ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1675354709084.png)

---

## Common Errors

### Object reference not set to an instance of an object

If the Data field is null or empty, the step will cause an error. To correct this, ensure that a signed PGP file is uploaded or mapped to the field.

#### Exception Message:

```csharp
Exception Stack Trace: DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.ErrorRunningFlowStep: Error running step Decrypt And Verify File 1[DecryptAndVerifyFile] in flow [Flow 2]: Exception invoking method DecryptAndVerifyFile on class PGPSteps
 ---> DecisionsFramework.LoggedException: Exception invoking method DecryptAndVerifyFile on class PGPSteps
 ---> System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. 
at Decsisions.PGP.Steps.PGPSteps.DecryptAndVerifyFile(Byte[] privateKey, String privateKeyPassword, Byte[] publicKey, FileData file)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.StepImplementations.InvokeMethodStep.Run(StepStartData data
 at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.RunStepInternal(String flowTrackingID, String stepTrackingID, KeyValuePairDataStructure[] stepRunDataValues, AbstractFlowTrackingData trackingData
 at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.Start(String flowTrackingID, String stepTrackingID, FlowStateData data, AbstractFlowTrackingData trackingData, RunningStepData currentStepData)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
```

---

### Buffer cannot be null.

If the Public Key or Private Key fields are null or empty, the step will cause an error. To correct this, ensure that the appropriate file is uploaded or mapped to the Public Key and Private Key fields.

#### Exception Message:

```csharp
Exception Stack Trace: DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.ErrorRunningFlowStep: Error running step Decrypt And Verify File 1[DecryptAndVerifyFile] in flow [Flow 2]: Exception invoking method DecryptAndVerifyFile on class PGPSteps 
 ---> DecisionsFramework.LoggedException: Exception invoking method DecryptAndVerifyFile on class PGPSteps 
 ---> System.ArgumentNullException: Buffer cannot be null. 
(Parameter 'buffer'  at System.IO.MemoryStream..ctor(Byte[] buffer  at Decsisions.PGP.Steps.PGPSteps.DecryptAndVerifyFile(Byte[] privateKey, String privateKeyPassword, Byte[] publicKey, FileData file)   
   --- End of inner exception stack trace --- at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.StepImplementations.InvokeMethodStep.Run(StepStartData data  at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.RunStepInternal(String flowTrackingID, String stepTrackingID, KeyValuePairDataStructure[] stepRunDataValues, AbstractFlowTrackingData trackingData  at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.Start(String flowTrackingID, String stepTrackingID, FlowStateData data, AbstractFlowTrackingData trackingData, RunningStepData currentStepData)   
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
```

---

## Step Changes

| Description | Version | Date | Developer Task |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| New steps have been added to the PGP Module. Existing steps have been added to the PGP Legacy category in the step toolbox. | [9.18](https://documentation.decisions.com/v99/docs/en/2ebf7a4c-e925-4e8f-9fd4-ff94a14910cc?isPreview=true&versionNumber=1) | December 2025 | [DT-046254] |

Related Information

Documentation: [PGP Module](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/pgp-module-overview) Forum Posts: [Email Encrypt / Decrypt With PGP Module](https://support.decisions.com/forum/topic1520-email-encrypt--decrypt-with-pgp-module.aspx) [Error While Encrypting A File Using PGP](https://support.decisions.com/forum/topic1814-error-while-encrypting-a-file-using-pgp.aspx) [PGP Issues With Decrypting Using Private Key](https://support.decisions.com/forum/topic2522-pgp-issues-with-decrypting-using-private-key.aspx)