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Database Encryption

What is Database Encryption?

The application of encryption to data stored in databases, protecting the confidentiality of records from unauthorized database access.

Information Security

Terms that appear alongside database encryption

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as database encryption. The number is how many controls name both.

Frameworks that govern database encryption

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5View framework →

What the standards actually require on database encryption

Requirements naming database encryption across 3 standards, quoted from the control text.

ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications1 control

Security Layer 3 Applications per X.805 Clause 7.3: The Applications Security Layer addresses requirements of network-based applications accessed by service provider customers.

X805-Layer3-Applications-Security-Email-Web-Directory-File-Transfer-E-Commerce-Video · ITU-T X.805 Security Layer 3 - Applications Security + Email + Web + Directory + File Transfer + E-Commerce + Video Conferencing + IM + Office Collaboration + SaaS + B2B EDI + Mobile Apps + APIs →
MDS2 (Medical Device)1 control

Disclose and operate protected health information (PHI) data handling + storage confidentiality + transmission confidentiality and integrity per MDS2 DATA + STCF + TXCF + TXIG sections.

MDS2-PHI-Data-Handling-DATA-Storage-STCF-Transmission-TXCF-TXIG-Encryption-FIPS · MDS2 PHI Handling + DATA + STCF Storage + TXCF Transmission + TXIG Integrity + Encryption + FIPS →
NIST SP 800-1231 control

Apply Section 5.3 cryptography including: encryption of data at rest (AES-256 + FIPS 140-3 validated modules + full disk encryption + file-level encryption + database encryption) + data in transit (TLS 1.3 + IPsec + SSH 2.0 + S/MIME + PGP) + key management per...

NISTSP123-4 · Server Cryptography - Encryption, Key Management, Certificates →

Questions people ask about database encryption

What is Database Encryption?
The application of encryption to data stored in databases, protecting the confidentiality of records from unauthorized database access.
Why is Database Encryption important for compliance?
Database Encryption is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding database encryption helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Database Encryption?
Database Encryption appears in the requirement text of ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications, MDS2 (Medical Device), NIST SP 800-123. Across these standards we have identified 3 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Database Encryption?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how database encryption applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Database Encryption applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.