Meaning
Cryptographic protection applied to specific individual data elements within a record ensures that sensitive information remains secure even if the entire database is compromised. When an organization utilizes field-level encryption, every piece of sensitive data is encrypted before it enters the storage system. This approach differs from full disk encryption which only protects data at rest when the system is powered down.
Key Control
Managing the different keys required for various data fields adds complexity to the IT infrastructure. Under field-level encryption, a database administrator might have the ability to move records without having the authority to read the content. This separation of duties is a core principle of modern cybersecurity.
The encryption keys are often stored in a dedicated hardware security module.
Performance Impact
Processing individual fields requires more computational resources than bulk encryption operations. The latency introduced by field-level encryption can affect the response time of high volume transactional systems. Developers must carefully choose which fields require this level of protection to avoid unnecessary slowdowns.
Common targets include social security numbers and private health information.
Contractual Assurance
Service providers often use this technology to meet the strict security requirements of their enterprise clients. Offering field-level encryption as a standard feature can be a competitive advantage in the procurement process. It provides a verifiable guarantee that the provider cannot access the customer’s most sensitive information.
The specific algorithms used are often dictated by industry standards.
