Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields

In an era where data breaches are frequent and privacy regulations are stringent, simply collecting user information is not enough—you must protect it. Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields is a premium security add-on designed to protect sensitive information at the database level. Whether you are handling medical records, financial details, or personal identification, this plugin ensures that your data remains private and compliant.

By using Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields, site owners can selectively encrypt Gravity Forms data, ensuring that even if a database is compromised, the sensitive information within remains unreadable to unauthorized parties. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to implement Gravity Forms field encryption to bolster your site’s security posture.

Key Features and Benefits

The power of this plugin lies in its granular approach to security. Unlike “all-or-nothing” encryption tools, it allows for a highly customized security configuration.

1. Selective Field-Level Encryption

The core benefit of the plugin is Gravity Forms field encryption. You do not need to encrypt every field in a form. You can choose to encrypt only specific, sensitive fields—such as Social Security numbers, phone numbers, or physical addresses—while leaving non-sensitive data (like “How did you hear about us?”) unencrypted for easier reporting.

2. Robust Gravity Forms Data Access Control

Encryption is only half the battle; the other half is managing who can see the data. This plugin offers advanced Gravity Forms data access control based on WordPress user roles. You can define exactly which administrators or managers have the “View Encrypted Data” permission. Users without this permission will see masked or hidden values in the WordPress backend.

3. Industry-Standard AES-256 Encryption

Security experts trust Gravity Forms AES-256 encryption. This plugin utilizes OpenSSL to provide military-grade encryption for data “at rest.” This means the data is encrypted before it hits your database and is only decrypted when an authorized user views it.

4. Optional Strict Access (Asynchronous Mode)

For high-security environments, you can enable Strict Access Mode. This requires an additional “Master Password” to be entered before data can be decrypted. Even if a hacker gains access to a logged-in administrator’s session, they cannot view the sensitive data without this secondary password.

5. Bulk Encryption for Existing Entries

If you are installing this on an established site, you don’t have to leave old data vulnerable. The plugin includes a utility to bulk encrypt existing entry data, bringing your historical records up to modern security standards.

Installation & Setup: How to Encrypt Specific Fields in Gravity Forms

Setting up the plugin is straightforward and does not require developer-level coding skills. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Install the Plugin:
   • Download the plugin ZIP file from your provider (e.g., CodeCanyon or the official developer site).
   • Go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin in your WordPress dashboard.
   • Activate the plugin.
2. License Activation:
   • Navigate to Forms > Settings > Encrypted Fields.
   • Enter your license key to enable automatic updates and support.
3. Configure Field Encryption:
   • Open the specific form you wish to secure.
   • Click on the field you want to protect (e.g., a “Phone” or “Single Line Text” field).
   • In the Field Settings sidebar, look for the Encryption tab or checkbox labeled “Encrypt this field’s data?”.
   • Check the box and save your form.
4. Set User Permissions:
   • Go to Users > Roles (or use a role editor plugin) to ensure only authorized roles have the view_encrypted_entries capability.

Practical Usage & Best Practices

To get the most out of secure Gravity Forms submissions, consider these real-world workflows:

• Healthcare Intake (HIPAA Considerations): When collecting patient histories or insurance IDs, use field-level encryption for the ID numbers and medical history fields. This helps maintain Gravity Forms GDPR compliance and aligns with privacy standards.
• Legal and Financial Services: For law firms collecting case details or financial advisors gathering net worth statements, enable Strict Access Mode. This ensures that even if an IT maintenance person accesses the site, they cannot view client secrets.
• HR and Internal Applications: When using Gravity Forms for internal job applications or employee reviews, encrypt the “Salary Expectation” and “Address” fields to ensure PII (Personally Identifiable Information) is only visible to the HR Manager.
• File Upload Security: Remember to use the encrypt file uploads Gravity Forms feature. When users upload sensitive PDFs or images, the plugin can secure both the file itself and the metadata associated with it.

FAQ & Troubleshooting

Does Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields work with all payment gateways?

Yes. The plugin is designed to work seamlessly with all official Gravity Forms payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net, etc.). It ensures that payment processing remains uninterrupted while securing the supplementary data collected in the form.

Can Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields help with GDPR compliance?

While no plugin can make a site “100% compliant” on its own, this tool is a major asset for Gravity Forms GDPR compliance. By encrypting PII (Personally Identifiable Information) at rest, you are following the “Privacy by Design” principle required by many data protection regulations.

What are the technical requirements for Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields?

To run the plugin efficiently, your server should meet the following:

• WordPress: Version 5.0 or higher.
• PHP: Version 7.2 or higher (versions below 7.2 are not supported for security reasons).
• Gravity Forms: The latest version is recommended for full compatibility.

Can I search for encrypted entries?

Yes, but with limitations. You can perform a native entry search for encrypted fields if you have the correct permissions. However, because the data is encrypted, you must search for an exact match (e.g., searching for a specific full name rather than just a partial string).

What happens if I lose my encryption keys?

If you are using the standard encryption mode, the keys are stored securely on your server. However, if you use Strict Access Mode and lose your secondary password, the data cannot be recovered. Always keep a secure backup of your master passwords.

Conclusion: The Best Plugin to Encrypt Sensitive Data in Gravity Forms

Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields is the gold standard for site owners who prioritize data integrity. It balances high-level security—using Gravity Forms AES-256 encryption—with a user-friendly interface that doesn’t break your existing workflow.

By implementing selective encryption and role-based access, you significantly reduce the risk of data leaks while maintaining the full functionality of your forms. If you handle any form of sensitive user data, this plugin is an essential investment in your site’s security and your users’ trust.

Final Verdict: For professional agencies, healthcare providers, and eCommerce stores, Gravity Forms Encrypted Fields provides the most reliable way to encrypt Gravity Forms data without compromising performance.