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Field-Level Encryption

What is Field-Level Encryption?

Encryption applied to individual data fields within a database or application, allowing granular control over which specific data elements are protected.

Information Security

Frameworks that govern field-level encryption

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

What the standards actually require on field-level encryption

Requirements naming field-level encryption across 2 standards, quoted from the control text.

Singapore Government Instruction Manual on ICT&SS Management (IM8)1 control

Agencies should protect sensitive data directly by one of: hashing with a secret salt so values cannot be reversed (suited where originals need not be recovered, such as analytics identifiers);

singapore-government-instruction-manual-on-ictss-management-im8::DSP-39 · Render sensitive data unusable if exfiltrated: salted hashing, field-level encryption or tokenisation →
ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications1 control

Security Dimensions 4 and 5 per X.805 Clauses 6.4 and 6.5 are closely related: (1) Data Confidentiality (Dim 4) protects data from unauthorized disclosure - so that anyone without authorization is unable to make sense of the content.

X805-Dim4-5-Data-Confidentiality-Communication-Security-Encryption-Information-Flow-Protection · ITU-T X.805 Security Dimensions 4-5 - Data Confidentiality + Communication Security + Encryption At-Rest + In-Transit + In-Use + Information Flow Protection + Steered Communication + Anti-Tap + Anti-Eavesdrop + Post-Quantum Cryptography →

Questions people ask about field-level encryption

What is Field-Level Encryption?
Encryption applied to individual data fields within a database or application, allowing granular control over which specific data elements are protected.
Why is Field-Level Encryption important for compliance?
Field-Level Encryption is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding field-level encryption helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Field-Level Encryption?
Field-Level Encryption appears in the requirement text of Singapore Government Instruction Manual on ICT&SS Management (IM8), ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications. Across these standards we have identified 2 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Field-Level Encryption?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how field-level 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 1,016 frameworks.

See how Field-Level Encryption applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K 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.