1. A computerized method comprising: receiving a request to instantiate a shared workspace for an electronic document, the electronic document having a displayable content portion and a non-viewable metadata portion; generating the shared workspace for the electronic document, the shared workspace being a data repository apart from the electronic document and configured to store workflow data, the workflow data comprising data representative of modifications and/or comments associated with the displayable content portion of the electronic document; generating an encryption key in association with both the shared workspace and the electronic document, the encryption key configured for accessing the workflow data stored in the shared workspace; and sending, in response to the request, at least the encryption key and a Uniform Resource Identifier associated with the shared workspace, for accessing the workflow data stored in the shared workspace, both the encryption key and the Uniform Resource Identifier configured for insertion into the metadata portion of the electronic document.