CasewareDocs

Encrypting IDEA databases

The mode for encrypting IDEA databases is selected by default. If you're in CSV mode, select the IDEA Databases option at the top left of the Data Privacy dialog to switch back to IDEA mode.

The Encryption tab for IDEA databases lets you do the following:

Select databases and fields

  1. Select a database from the Database drop-down list. If none is selected, the first available database will be chosen.
  2. From the Field drop-down list, select the field or fields you want to apply a privacy method to.

You can repeat this for multiple databases.

Note:

  • Deleted items in IDEA are not automatically removed from the app. Databases or fields that no longer exist in IDEA will trigger a warning and give you the option to synchronize manually.
  • If you remove the last field from a database, the entire database setup will be removed.

Apply data privacy methods

From the Data privacy method drop-down list, you can apply one of the following data privacy methods to each field:

  • Pseudonymize (default): Encrypts the field using a password. This method is reversible.
  • Anonymize: Replaces content with random characters while keeping the same type and size. Irreversible.
  • Zeroize: Sets all digits to 0 or characters to empty. Irreversible.
  • Eliminate: Removes the field entirely from the output. Irreversible.
Note:
You cannot apply Eliminate to all fields in a database - it would leave the database empty.

Specify an output database name

Accept or overwrite the suggested name in the Output database name field. Each output database must have a unique name. The app auto-generates names with a DPE (Data Privacy Encrypted) suffix. You can edit the name unless you've selected the Replace the existing database option at the bottom of the dialog.

Set a password (required for pseudonymization only)

When you choose pseudonymization as a privacy method, you must provide a password. This password is used to encrypt the data in a reversible way, allowing only those who know the password to decrypt and access the original content. Without the correct password, it is impossible to recover the encrypted data.

To ensure compatibility with the encryption algorithm, your password must have at least 13 characters, contain letters, numbers and symbols, and only use characters from the .

Features:

  • Generate random password: Click this button to automatically generate a random password.
  • Copy the password Clicking this icon copies the password to the clipboard.: Select this icon to copy the password to your clipboard.
  • Send the password via email Clicking this icon opens your email client and allows you to send the password by email.: Select this icon to open your email client with the password prefilled.
Note:
Do not lose your password! If lost, encrypted data cannot be recovered.

Output options

  • Save as new database (default): Creates new databases with the modified data.
  • Replace the existing database: Overwrites the original databases. The database position in the IDEA project may change.
  • Speed boost: Speeds up processing, recommended for large datasets.
  • Ultra security: Makes processing extra secure (only available when Speed boost is enabled).

Start the process

Once everything is set, click Process. The app will begin encryption and show a progress dialog.

You can cancel the process at any time:

  • If you select to save progress, the partially processed database will be kept.
  • If you discard, the original state will be restored.