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    Data Encryption Guide

    Complete guide to encrypting sensitive data in AI-generated applications. Learn encryption strategies for data at rest, in transit, field-level encryption, and secure key management.

    Encryption Requires Proper Key Management

    Encryption is only as secure as your key management. Hardcoded keys, keys stored in environment files, or keys accessible to developers completely undermine encryption. Always use dedicated key management services like AWS KMS, Google Cloud KMS, or HashiCorp Vault.

    Data Encryption Implementation Checklist

    Follow these 12 steps to properly encrypt sensitive data. Critical items address vulnerabilities that may be relevant to GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC2 frameworks.

    Step 1

    Enable database encryption at rest

    Critical

    Use database-native encryption features or encrypted storage volumes. All major cloud databases support transparent encryption at rest.

    Step 2

    Enforce TLS/SSL for all connections

    Critical

    Require encrypted connections between application and database, application and users, and between backend services. Reject unencrypted connections.

    Step 3

    Encrypt sensitive fields at application level

    Critical

    Use field-level encryption for PII like SSN, credit cards, and health data. Database encryption at rest does not protect against SQL injection or admin access.

    Step 4

    Use secure key management

    Critical

    Store encryption keys in AWS KMS, Google Cloud KMS, Azure Key Vault, or HashiCorp Vault. Never hardcode keys in code or store in environment files.

    Step 5

    Implement key rotation

    Critical

    Rotate encryption keys periodically and when team members leave. Support decryption with old keys while encrypting new data with current keys.

    Step 6

    Hash passwords with bcrypt or argon2

    Critical

    Never encrypt passwords, always hash them. Use bcrypt with cost 12+ or argon2id for password storage. Hashes are one-way and cannot be decrypted.

    Step 7

    Use authenticated encryption (AES-GCM)

    Prefer AES-256-GCM over AES-CBC for encryption. Authenticated encryption prevents tampering and provides integrity verification.

    Step 8

    Implement secure random for IVs

    Generate initialization vectors (IVs) using cryptographically secure random sources. Never reuse IVs with the same encryption key.

    Step 9

    Encrypt backups and exports

    Database backups, CSV exports, and data transfers must use the same encryption standards as production data.

    Step 10

    Protect encryption keys at rest

    Encryption keys themselves should be encrypted using key encryption keys (KEKs) in a key management service.

    Step 11

    Implement secure key derivation

    Derive encryption keys from passphrases using PBKDF2, bcrypt, or argon2 with high iteration counts, not simple hashing.

    Step 12

    Document encryption decisions

    Document which fields are encrypted, key rotation schedule, and decryption procedures for security reviews and incident response.

    Common Encryption Vulnerabilities

    Hardcoded Encryption Keys

    Critical

    Encryption keys stored in code, environment files committed to git, or configuration files, allowing attackers to decrypt all data

    Weak Encryption Algorithms

    Critical

    Using DES, 3DES, RC4, or AES with ECB mode instead of modern authenticated encryption like AES-GCM

    No Encryption in Transit

    High

    Unencrypted HTTP connections or database connections without TLS, exposing data to network interception

    Encrypting Instead of Hashing Passwords

    High

    Storing encrypted passwords instead of hashing them, allowing decryption if encryption key is compromised

    Related Resources

    Database Security Best Practices

    Universal database security principles

    Authentication Implementation

    Secure password hashing

    Compliance Checklist

    Security checklist for regulatory frameworks

    API Security Guide

    Encryption in transit

    Audit Your Encryption Implementation

    VibeEval automatically scans for weak encryption algorithms, hardcoded keys, unencrypted connections, and missing encryption on sensitive data fields.

    Start Free Encryption Audit