Encryption at Zoho People

Encryption is primarily used to safeguard the contents of a message so that only the intended recipient can read it. This is done by replacing the contents with unrecognizable data, which can be understood only by the intended recipient. This is how encryption became a method to protect data from those who may want to steal it.

Encryption can be used in two situations.

  • Encryption in Transit.
  • Encryption at Rest (EAR).

Encryption in Transit

Refers to data that is encrypted when it is in transit – including from your browser to the web server and other third parties via integrations. Encrypting data in transit protects your data from man-in-the-middle attacks. Learn more.

Encryption at Rest (EAR)

Refers to data that is encrypted when it is stored ( not moving) – either on a disc, in a database, or some other form of media. In addition to encryption of data during transit, encryption of data when it is stored in the servers provides an even higher level of security. EAR protects against any possible data leak due to server compromise or unauthorized access.

Encryption is done at the application layer using the AES-256 algorithm which is a symmetric encryption algorithm and uses 128-bit blocks and 256-bit keys.The key used to convert the data from plain text to cipher text is called Data Encryption Key(DEK). The DEK is further encrypted using the KEK (Key Encryption Key), thus, providing yet another layer of security.The keys are generated and maintained by our in-house Key Management Service(KMS). Learn more.

What data do we encrypt in Zoho People?

All types of documents such as medical certificates or confidential HR documents, are encrypted.

Additionally, you can encrypt custom fields that add an extra layer of security for data like credit card numbers and personally identifiable information that your company might define as requiring additional protection. Learn more about encrypting custom fields.

Full-disk Encryption

Besides application layer encryption, full disk encryption is available in our IN,AU, JP and EU data centers. Learn more about full-disc encryption.

Read our whitepaper of encryption.