diff --git a/nodes/SecloreProtect/SecloreProtect.node.ts b/nodes/SecloreProtect/SecloreProtect.node.ts
index 2c19533..57f9116 100644
--- a/nodes/SecloreProtect/SecloreProtect.node.ts
+++ b/nodes/SecloreProtect/SecloreProtect.node.ts
@@ -97,20 +97,6 @@ export class SecloreProtect implements INodeType {
 					},
 				},
 			},
-			{
-				displayName: 'Correlation ID',
-				name: 'correlationId',
-				type: 'string',
-				default: '',
-				placeholder: 'e.g., req-12345',
-				description: 'Optional correlation ID for request tracking and logging',
-				displayOptions: {
-					show: {
-						resource: ['protection'],
-						operation: ['protectWithHotFolder'],
-					},
-				},
-			},
 			{
 				displayName: 'Retry Count',
 				name: 'retryCount',
@@ -139,20 +125,6 @@ export class SecloreProtect implements INodeType {
 					},
 				},
 			},
-			{
-				displayName: 'Correlation ID',
-				name: 'correlationId',
-				type: 'string',
-				default: '',
-				placeholder: 'e.g., req-12345',
-				description: 'Optional correlation ID for request tracking and logging',
-				displayOptions: {
-					show: {
-						resource: ['protection'],
-						operation: ['unprotect'],
-					},
-				},
-			},
 			{
 				displayName: 'Retry Count',
 				name: 'retryCount',
diff --git a/nodes/SecloreProtect/Services/SecloreDRMApiService.ts b/nodes/SecloreProtect/Services/SecloreDRMApiService.ts
index 94285b8..75e0b92 100644
--- a/nodes/SecloreProtect/Services/SecloreDRMApiService.ts
+++ b/nodes/SecloreProtect/Services/SecloreDRMApiService.ts
@@ -13,14 +13,10 @@ import {
 import { IUnprotectRequest, IUnprotectResponse } from './Interfaces/UnprotectInterfaces';
 
 export class SecloreDRMApiService {
-	private baseUrl: string;
-
 	constructor(
 		private context: IExecuteFunctions,
-		baseUrl: string,
-	) {
-		this.baseUrl = baseUrl;
-	}
+		private baseUrl: string,
+	) { }
 
 	/**
 	 * Common error handler for HTTP responses
diff --git a/nodes/SecloreProtect/operations/protectWithHotFolder.ts b/nodes/SecloreProtect/operations/protectWithHotFolder.ts
index ceff624..9644cf4 100644
--- a/nodes/SecloreProtect/operations/protectWithHotFolder.ts
+++ b/nodes/SecloreProtect/operations/protectWithHotFolder.ts
@@ -5,34 +5,182 @@ import {
 	NodeOutput,
 	LoggerProxy as Logger,
 } from 'n8n-workflow';
-
+import crypto from 'node:crypto';
 import { SecloreDRMFileService } from '../Services/SecloreDRMFileService';
 
+/**
+ * Deletes a file from storage with error handling (does not throw errors)
+ * @param fileService - The SecloreDRMFileService instance
+ * @param fileStorageId - The file storage ID to delete
+ * @param correlationId - Optional correlation ID for tracking
+ * @param retryCount - Number of retries for operations
+ */
+async function deleteFile(
+	fileService: SecloreDRMFileService,
+	fileStorageId: string,
+	correlationId?: string,
+	retryCount: number = 3,
+): Promise<void> {
+	const who = "protectWithHotFolder::deleteFile:: ";
+	try {
+		Logger.debug(who + 'Attempting to delete file', { fileStorageId, correlationId, retryCount });
+		
+		await fileService.deleteFile(
+			fileStorageId,
+			correlationId,
+			retryCount,
+		);
+		
+		Logger.debug(who + 'File deleted successfully', { fileStorageId, correlationId });
+	} catch (error) {
+		// Log error but don't throw - this is for cleanup operations
+		Logger.error(who + 'File deletion failed, continuing operation', { 
+			error, 
+			fileStorageId, 
+			correlationId,
+			message: 'This is a cleanup operation, continuing despite deletion failure'
+		});
+	}
+}
+
+/**
+ * Uploads a file, protects it with hot folder, and downloads the protected version
+ * @param fileService - The SecloreDRMFileService instance
+ * @param fileBuffer - The file buffer to upload
+ * @param fileName - The name of the file
+ * @param hotfolderId - The hot folder ID to use for protection
+ * @param correlationId - Optional correlation ID for tracking
+ * @param retryCount - Number of retries for operations
+ * @returns Promise containing the protected file data and metadata
+ */
+async function protectFileWithHotFolder(
+	fileService: SecloreDRMFileService,
+	fileBuffer: Buffer,
+	fileName: string,
+	hotfolderId: string,
+	correlationId?: string,
+	retryCount: number = 3,
+): Promise<{
+	protectedFileData: Uint8Array;
+	originalFileStorageId: string;
+	protectedFileStorageId: string;
+	secloreFileId: string;
+	fileName: string;
+	fileSize: number;
+}> {
+	const who = "protectWithHotFolder::protectFileWithHotFolder:: ";
+	var originalFileStorageId: string = '';
+	const protectedFileName = `${fileName}.html`;
+	try {
+		Logger.debug(who + 'Starting protect file with hot folder operation', { fileName, fileSize: fileBuffer.length, hotfolderId, correlationId, retryCount });
+		
+		// Upload the file first
+		Logger.debug(who + 'Uploading file', { fileName, fileSize: fileBuffer.length, correlationId });
+		const uploadResult = await fileService.uploadFile(
+			new Uint8Array(fileBuffer),
+			fileName,
+			correlationId,
+			retryCount,
+		);
+
+		Logger.debug(who + 'File uploaded successfully', { fileStorageId: uploadResult.fileStorageId, fileName, correlationId });
+
+		originalFileStorageId = uploadResult.fileStorageId;
+
+		// Protect the uploaded file with HotFolder
+		Logger.debug(who + 'Protecting file with hot folder', { fileStorageId: uploadResult.fileStorageId, hotfolderId, fileName, correlationId });
+		const protectResult = await fileService.protectWithHotFolder(
+			{
+				hotfolderId,
+				fileStorageId: uploadResult.fileStorageId,
+			},
+			correlationId,
+			retryCount,
+		);
+
+		Logger.debug(who + 'File protected successfully', { 
+			originalFileStorageId: uploadResult.fileStorageId, 
+			protectedFileStorageId: protectResult.fileStorageId, 
+			secloreFileId: protectResult.secloreFileId,
+			hotfolderId,
+			fileName, 
+			correlationId 
+		});
+
+		// Download the protected file
+		Logger.debug(who + 'Downloading protected file', { fileStorageId: protectResult.fileStorageId, fileName, correlationId });
+		const protectedFileData = await fileService.downloadFile(
+			protectResult.fileStorageId,
+			correlationId,
+			retryCount,
+		);
+
+		Logger.debug(who + 'Protected file downloaded successfully', { 
+			fileStorageId: protectResult.fileStorageId, 
+			fileSize: protectedFileData.length, 
+			fileName: protectedFileName, 
+			correlationId 
+		});
+
+		const result = {
+			protectedFileData,
+			originalFileStorageId: uploadResult.fileStorageId,
+			protectedFileStorageId: protectResult.fileStorageId,
+			secloreFileId: protectResult.secloreFileId,
+			fileName: protectedFileName,
+			fileSize: protectedFileData.length,
+		};
+		
+		Logger.debug(who + 'Protect file with hot folder operation completed successfully', { 
+			fileName: protectedFileName,
+			originalFileStorageId: result.originalFileStorageId,
+			protectedFileStorageId: result.protectedFileStorageId,
+			secloreFileId: result.secloreFileId,
+			fileSize: result.fileSize,
+			hotfolderId,
+			correlationId
+		});
+		
+		return result;
+	} catch (error) {
+		Logger.error(who + 'Protect file with hot folder operation failed', { error, fileName, hotfolderId, correlationId });
+		throw error;
+	} finally {
+		if (originalFileStorageId !== '') {
+			await deleteFile(fileService, originalFileStorageId, correlationId, retryCount);
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 export async function protectWithHotFolder(this: IExecuteFunctions): Promise<NodeOutput> {
+	const who = "protectWithHotFolder::protectWithHotFolder:: ";
 	const items = this.getInputData();
 	const returnData: INodeExecutionData[] = [];
 
 	// Initialize logger with the current execution context
 	Logger.init(this.logger);
 
-	Logger.info('Seclore Protect with HotFolder operation started', { itemCount: items.length });
+	Logger.debug(who + 'Seclore Protect with HotFolder operation started', { itemCount: items.length });
 
 	// Get credentials
+	Logger.debug(who + 'Getting credentials', {});
 	const credentials = await this.getCredentials('secloreProtectApi');
 	const baseUrl = credentials.baseUrl as string;
 	const tenantId = credentials.tenantId as string;
 	const tenantSecret = credentials.tenantSecret as string;
 
 	// Initialize the file service
+	Logger.debug(who + 'Initializing file service', { baseUrl, tenantId });
 	const fileService = new SecloreDRMFileService(this, baseUrl, tenantId, tenantSecret);
 
 	for (let i = 0; i < items.length; i++) {
-		Logger.debug('Processing item', { itemIndex: i, itemData: items[i] });
+		Logger.debug(who + 'Processing item', { itemIndex: i });
 		try {
 			// Get parameters for this item
+			Logger.debug(who + 'Getting node parameters', { itemIndex: i });
 			const hotfolderId = this.getNodeParameter('hotfolderId', i) as string;
 			const binaryPropertyName = this.getNodeParameter('binaryPropertyName', i) as string;
-			const correlationId = this.getNodeParameter('correlationId', i) as string;
+			const correlationId = crypto.randomUUID().toString();
 			const retryCount = this.getNodeParameter('retryCount', i) as number;
 
 			// Validate required parameters
@@ -42,92 +190,95 @@ export async function protectWithHotFolder(this: IExecuteFunctions): Promise<Nod
 				});
 			}
 
-			Logger.debug('Asserting binary data', { binaryPropertyName, itemIndex: i });
+			Logger.debug(who + 'Asserting binary data', { binaryPropertyName, itemIndex: i });
 			// Get input binary data
 			const binaryData = this.helpers.assertBinaryData(i, binaryPropertyName);
 
-			Logger.debug('Getting binary data buffer', { binaryPropertyName, itemIndex: i });
+			Logger.debug(who + 'Getting binary data buffer', { binaryPropertyName, itemIndex: i });
 			const fileBuffer = await this.helpers.getBinaryDataBuffer(i, binaryPropertyName);
 
-			Logger.debug('Binary data retrieved', {
+			Logger.debug(who + 'Binary data retrieved', {
 				fileName: binaryData.fileName,
 				fileSize: fileBuffer.length,
 				mimeType: binaryData.mimeType,
-				itemIndex: i
+				itemIndex: i,
+				correlationId,
+				retryCount
 			});
 
-			// Upload the file first
-			const uploadResult = await fileService.uploadFile(
-				new Uint8Array(fileBuffer),
-				binaryData.fileName || 'file',
-				correlationId || undefined,
-				retryCount,
-			);
-
-			Logger.info('File uploaded successfully', { fileStorageId: uploadResult.fileStorageId, fileName: binaryData.fileName });
-			Logger.debug('File upload response', { uploadResult });
-
-			// Protect the uploaded file with HotFolder
-			const protectResult = await fileService.protectWithHotFolder(
-				{
+			// Use the combined upload, protect, and download function
+			try {
+				Logger.debug(who + 'Starting protect file with hot folder operation', { 
+					fileName: binaryData.fileName, 
 					hotfolderId,
-					fileStorageId: uploadResult.fileStorageId,
-				},
-				correlationId || undefined,
-				retryCount,
-			);
+					correlationId, 
+					retryCount,
+					itemIndex: i 
+				});
 
-			Logger.info('File protected successfully', {
-				originalFileStorageId: uploadResult.fileStorageId,
-				protectedFileStorageId: protectResult.fileStorageId,
-				secloreFileId: protectResult.secloreFileId,
-				hotfolderId,
-				fileName: binaryData.fileName
-			});
-			Logger.debug('File protect response', { protectResult });
-
-			// Download the protected file
-			const protectedFileData = await fileService.downloadFile(
-				protectResult.fileStorageId,
-				correlationId || undefined,
-				retryCount,
-			);
-
-			Logger.info('Protected file downloaded successfully', {
-				fileStorageId: protectResult.fileStorageId,
-				fileSize: protectedFileData.length,
-				fileName: binaryData.fileName
-			});
-
-			// Create output binary data
-			const outputBinaryData = await this.helpers.prepareBinaryData(
-				Buffer.from(protectedFileData),
-				binaryData.fileName || 'protected_file',
-				binaryData.mimeType,
-			);
-
-			// Create return item with binary data and metadata
-			const returnItem: INodeExecutionData = {
-				json: {
-					success: true,
-					originalFileStorageId: uploadResult.fileStorageId,
-					protectedFileStorageId: protectResult.fileStorageId,
-					secloreFileId: protectResult.secloreFileId,
+				const result = await protectFileWithHotFolder(
+					fileService,
+					fileBuffer,
+					binaryData.fileName || 'file',
 					hotfolderId,
-					fileName: binaryData.fileName,
-					fileSize: protectedFileData.length,
-					correlationId: correlationId || null,
-				},
-				binary: {
-					data: outputBinaryData,
-				},
-			};
+					correlationId,
+					retryCount,
+				);
 
-			returnData.push(returnItem);
+				Logger.debug(who + 'Protect file with hot folder operation completed successfully', { 
+					fileName: result.fileName,
+					originalFileStorageId: result.originalFileStorageId,
+					protectedFileStorageId: result.protectedFileStorageId,
+					secloreFileId: result.secloreFileId,
+					fileSize: result.fileSize,
+					hotfolderId,
+					itemIndex: i,
+					correlationId
+				});
+
+				// Create output binary data
+				Logger.debug(who + 'Preparing binary data for output', { 
+					fileName: result.fileName,
+					mimeType: binaryData.mimeType,
+					fileSize: result.fileSize,
+					itemIndex: i
+				});
+				const outputBinaryData = await this.helpers.prepareBinaryData(
+					Buffer.from(result.protectedFileData),
+					result.fileName,
+					binaryData.mimeType,
+				);
+
+				// Create return item with binary data and metadata
+				const returnItem: INodeExecutionData = {
+					json: {
+						success: true,
+						originalFileStorageId: result.originalFileStorageId,
+						protectedFileStorageId: result.protectedFileStorageId,
+						secloreFileId: result.secloreFileId,
+						hotfolderId,
+						fileName: result.fileName,
+						fileSize: result.fileSize,
+						correlationId: correlationId,
+					},
+					binary: {
+						data: outputBinaryData,
+					},
+				};
+
+				Logger.debug(who + 'Adding result to return data', { itemIndex: i, success: true });
+				returnData.push(returnItem);
+			} catch (protectError) {
+				Logger.error(who + 'Protect file with hot folder operation failed', { protectError, itemIndex: i });
+
+				// Re-throw the error to be handled by the outer catch block
+				throw protectError;
+			}
 		} catch (error) {
 			// Handle errors gracefully
-			Logger.error('Protect with HotFolder operation failed', { error, itemIndex: i });
+			Logger.error(who + 'Item processing failed', { error, itemIndex: i });
 			if (this.continueOnFail()) {
+				Logger.debug(who + 'Continuing on fail, adding error item', { itemIndex: i, errorMessage: error.message });
 				const returnItem: INodeExecutionData = {
 					json: {
 						success: false,
@@ -137,6 +288,7 @@ export async function protectWithHotFolder(this: IExecuteFunctions): Promise<Nod
 				};
 				returnData.push(returnItem);
 			} else {
+				Logger.error(who + 'Throwing NodeOperationError', { error: error.message, itemIndex: i });
 				throw new NodeOperationError(this.getNode(), error.message, {
 					itemIndex: i,
 				});
@@ -144,7 +296,7 @@ export async function protectWithHotFolder(this: IExecuteFunctions): Promise<Nod
 		}
 	}
 
-	Logger.info('Seclore Protect with HotFolder operation completed', {
+	Logger.debug(who + 'Seclore Protect with HotFolder operation completed', {
 		processedItems: returnData.length,
 		successfulItems: returnData.filter(item => item.json.success).length
 	});
diff --git a/nodes/SecloreProtect/operations/unprotect.ts b/nodes/SecloreProtect/operations/unprotect.ts
index 9c9d5b5..a304028 100644
--- a/nodes/SecloreProtect/operations/unprotect.ts
+++ b/nodes/SecloreProtect/operations/unprotect.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import {
 	NodeOutput,
 	LoggerProxy as Logger,
 } from 'n8n-workflow';
-
+import crypto from 'node:crypto';
 import { SecloreDRMFileService } from '../Services/SecloreDRMFileService';
 
 /**
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ async function deleteFile(
  * @returns Promise containing the unprotected file data and metadata
  */
 async function unprotectFile(
-	context: IExecuteFunctions,
 	fileService: SecloreDRMFileService,
 	fileBuffer: Buffer,
 	fileName: string,
@@ -182,7 +181,7 @@ export async function unprotect(this: IExecuteFunctions): Promise<NodeOutput> {
 			// Get parameters for this item
 			Logger.debug(who + 'Getting node parameters', { itemIndex: i });
 			const binaryPropertyName = this.getNodeParameter('binaryPropertyName', i) as string;
-			const correlationId = this.getNodeParameter('correlationId', i) as string;
+			const correlationId = crypto.randomUUID().toString();
 			const retryCount = this.getNodeParameter('retryCount', i) as number;
 
 			Logger.debug(who + 'Asserting binary data', { binaryPropertyName, itemIndex: i });
@@ -211,11 +210,10 @@ export async function unprotect(this: IExecuteFunctions): Promise<NodeOutput> {
 				});
 
 				const result = await unprotectFile(
-					this,
 					fileService,
 					fileBuffer,
 					binaryData.fileName || 'protected_file',
-					correlationId || undefined,
+					correlationId,
 					retryCount,
 				);
 
@@ -249,7 +247,7 @@ export async function unprotect(this: IExecuteFunctions): Promise<NodeOutput> {
 						unprotectedFileStorageId: result.unprotectedFileStorageId,
 						fileName: result.fileName,
 						fileSize: result.fileSize,
-						correlationId: correlationId || null,
+						correlationId: correlationId,
 					},
 					binary: {
 						data: outputBinaryData,