Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields 6.1.4

When you move into **Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields**, you’re stepping out of standard web design and into the realm of data privacy and security (think HIPAA, GDPR, or sensitive financial data). 

Standard WordPress databases store entry data in "Plain Text." If a hacker gains access to your database, they can read every submission. Encryption turns that data into an unreadable "cypher" that can only be unlocked with a specific key. 

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### ## Top Ways to Encrypt Gravity Forms 

There are two primary ways to handle this, depending on your budget and how "hands-on" you want to be: 

#### 1. Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields (The Specialized Plugin) 

There are a few third-party developers (like *Settings Lab*) that offer specific "Encrypted Fields" add-ons. 

* **How it works:** You toggle "Encryption" on for specific fields (like SSN, Credit Card, or Health Data). 
* **The Key:** It usually generates an encryption key stored in your `wp-config.php` file. 
* **Pros:** Easy to use; prevents data from being read in the WordPress dashboard by unauthorized users. 

#### 2. Gravity PDF (With Enterprise Extension) 

If your goal is to generate a secure document from the form, Gravity PDF offers an **Encyption** extension. 

* **Best for:** Sending secure PDFs via email that require a password or are encrypted at rest. 

#### 3. Database-Level Encryption 

Using a plugin like **WP Encryption** or specialized hosting environments that encrypt the entire SQL database at the hardware level. 

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### ## Critical "Must-Knows" Before You Start 

> **Warning:** Encryption is a double-edged sword. If you lose your **Encryption Key**, your data is gone forever. Neither Gravity Forms nor the plugin developer can "reset" it for you. 

| Feature | Plain Text (Default) | Encrypted Fields | 
| --- | --- | --- | 
| **Searchability** | You can search entries by keyword. | **Cannot** search encrypted data (usually). | 
| **Database Security** | Vulnerable to SQL injections. | Secure; data looks like gibberish. | 
| **Notifications** | Data is sent via standard email. | Usually requires a secure link or PDF. | 
| **Performance** | Fast. | Slight overhead for "decrypting" on view. | 

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### ## Security Best Practices 

1. **SSL is Mandatory:** Encryption at rest (the database) is useless if you don't have encryption in transit (HTTPS/SSL). 
2. **Field Selection:** Don't encrypt everything—it slows down the site. Only encrypt **PII** (Personally Identifiable Information). 
3. **Automatic Deletion:** For maximum security, use an add-on like *Gravity Forms Entry Expiration* to delete the data from your server entirely after you’ve processed it. 

**Are you setting this up for a specific compliance requirement (like HIPAA or PCI), or are you just looking to beef up your general site security?**