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Encryption & Data Protection Issues

Data that isn't properly protected in transit or at rest — locked down correctly, without breaking what already works.

Encryption issues rarely announce themselves the way a crash does — a missing HTTPS redirect, a password column that's plaintext instead of hashed, a hardcoded key sitting in your codebase. Nothing breaks until it matters. We assess your actual encryption posture and fix what's genuinely weak, using the right standard for the data involved.



1:1 Security Support · Fixed-Price & Hourly Options · Fast Turnaround



This Is For You If...

  • You're a founder and a scanner or a customer flagged that your site isn't fully on HTTPS

  • Your team just realized passwords are stored in a way that isn't properly hashed

  • You're a student or freelancer who needs to encrypt sensitive data before a project ships

  • You're preparing for a compliance requirement (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS) and need encryption sorted properly

  • You're not sure if your current encryption setup is actually secure or just looks secure



Self-Diagnostic Checklist

Ask Yourself

What It Suggests

Is the concern about data in transit (network), at rest (storage), or both?

Different protections apply to each, and a fix for one doesn't cover the other

Do you know what encryption algorithm or method is currently being used, if any?

Tells us whether we're auditing an existing implementation or starting from nothing

Is this driven by a specific finding (a scanner alert), or a general "are we protected" concern?

Specific findings can often be scoped narrowly; general concerns benefit from a broader review

Does this involve passwords, payment data, health data, or general application data?

Different data types carry different required standards and urgency

Is there a compliance deadline driving this (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)?

Changes what "done" needs to look like, and what documentation may be required

Has this system ever had its encryption reviewed before?

First-time reviews are usually broader; follow-ups can focus on what's changed



Encryption & Data Protection Issues We Fix


Fix Missing HTTPS / SSL Configuration

A website not using HTTPS, the need to fix missing SSL, or setting up a proper force HTTPS redirect is one of the most basic and important protections — and still surprisingly common to find missing or incomplete. We get your site fully and correctly serving over HTTPS.


Fix SSL Certificate Errors

An SSL certificate error, an invalid SSL certificate, or an "SSL not trusted" warning means visitors are seeing a security warning instead of a secure connection. We diagnose the certificate chain, expiry, or configuration issue causing it.


Implement Data Encryption at Rest

The need to encrypt database data, set up data encryption at rest, or encrypt sensitive data in the database protects your stored data even if the underlying storage is ever compromised. We implement encryption appropriate to your database and the sensitivity of the data involved.


Fix Weak / Outdated Encryption Implementation

A weak encryption algorithm, an outdated encryption method, or a generally insecure encryption implementation means the protection in place doesn't meet current standards. We assess what's actually being used and upgrade it to a properly current, strong implementation.


Implement Password Hashing (bcrypt/Argon2)

Secure password hashing setup, implementing bcrypt password storage, or fixing plaintext password storage is one of the most critical fixes possible — plaintext or weakly hashed passwords put every user account at risk if the database is ever exposed. We implement proper, modern password hashing.


Fix TLS Configuration & Cipher Suite Issues

A TLS configuration error, a weak cipher suite, or a deprecated TLS version means your encrypted connections aren't as strong as they should be. We correct the TLS configuration to use current, secure protocols and ciphers.


Implement Data Encryption in Transit

The need to encrypt data in transit, set up secure data transmission, or implement broader end-to-end encryption ensures data can't be intercepted and read as it moves between systems. We implement transit encryption appropriate to your architecture.


Fix Hardcoded Encryption Keys / Secrets

A hardcoded encryption key, secrets stored directly in code, or insecure key storage means your encryption is only as strong as the key's exposure — and a hardcoded key defeats much of the protection. We move keys to proper secure storage and rotate anything exposed.


Set Up Key Management / Key Rotation

Encryption key management setup, implementing key rotation, or a proper secure key storage solution ensures encryption keys are managed with the same care as the data they protect. We implement a key management approach appropriate to your scale and infrastructure.


Fix Insecure Cookie / Session Encryption

An insecure cookie flag, session data that isn't encrypted, or secure cookie configuration issues mean session data may be exposed or tampered with. We configure cookies and session storage with proper security flags and encryption.


Fix Mixed Content Errors (HTTP/HTTPS)

A mixed content error, an HTTP resource loading on an HTTPS page, or insecure content being blocked by the browser means part of your page is undermining the HTTPS protection on the rest of it. We find and fix every insecure resource reference.


Implement Field-Level / Column-Level Database Encryption

Column-level encryption, field-level encryption setup, or the need to encrypt specific database fields protects particularly sensitive data (like SSNs or payment details) with an extra layer beyond general database encryption. We implement targeted encryption for the specific fields that need it.


Fix Certificate Expiry & Renewal Automation

An SSL certificate that's expired, the need to automate certificate renewal, or a proper Certbot auto-renewal setup prevents the recurring, avoidable problem of certificates lapsing unexpectedly. We fix the immediate expiry and set up automated renewal so it doesn't happen again.


Implement HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security)

The need to set up an HSTS header, fix HSTS not being enabled, or force strict transport security ensures browsers always connect over HTTPS, even if a user tries HTTP first. We implement HSTS correctly, including handling the preload considerations.


Fix File & Document Encryption Issues

The need to encrypt uploaded files, implement secure file storage encryption, or general document encryption implementation protects files users upload or your app generates, which are often overlooked compared to database encryption. We implement appropriate encryption for your file storage.


Encryption Compliance Setup (GDPR/HIPAA/PCI-DSS)

GDPR encryption requirements, HIPAA data encryption setup, or PCI-DSS encryption compliance involves meeting the specific technical encryption standards each regulation requires. We implement the technical controls involved — for the full compliance picture, this is often paired with legal/compliance guidance.


Fix Broken Cryptographic Algorithm Usage

The need to fix MD5/SHA1 usage, resolve broken cryptographic algorithm use, or replace a deprecated hashing algorithm addresses cases where an outdated, now-insecure algorithm is still in use — common in older codebases. We identify every instance and replace it with a current, secure alternative.


Implement End-to-End Encryption for Messaging/Chat Features

The need to implement E2E encryption for a chat feature, build end-to-end encryption for a messaging app, or set up secure chat encryption requires a specific architecture where only the communicating parties can read the content. We implement this correctly, which is more involved than standard transit encryption.


Fix Backup Encryption Issues

Unencrypted database backups, the need for secure backup encryption setup, or a general need to encrypt backup files addresses a commonly overlooked gap — backups often contain the same sensitive data as production but get less security attention. We ensure backups are encrypted to the same standard as your live data.


Encryption & Data Protection Audit

For a broader encryption audit, a data protection review, or a full cryptography implementation review, rather than fixing one specific issue, this is a proactive review across your app and infrastructure to confirm your actual encryption posture, in transit and at rest.


Don't see your exact situation listed above? Tell us what you're trying to protect and we'll help you scope the right fix.




What We Need From You

What to Share

Why It Helps

What data you're trying to protect (passwords, payment data, general user data, etc.)

Different data types warrant different levels and methods of protection

Your current setup, if any (what's currently encrypted, what isn't)

Lets us assess the actual gap rather than starting from assumptions

Whether this is driven by a specific finding or a general review request

Helps us scope narrowly or broadly as appropriate

Your stack and hosting/infrastructure setup

Encryption implementation differs by platform and technology

Any compliance requirements involved (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)

Changes what "properly protected" needs to mean for your specific case

Access to the relevant code or infrastructure, as needed

We'll tell you exactly what's required — you control what's shared



Common Mistakes to Avoid

Instinct

Why It Doesn't Help

Do This Instead

Assuming HTTPS alone means all your data protection needs are covered

HTTPS protects data in transit but says nothing about how data is protected at rest, or whether passwords are properly hashed

Assess data at rest and in transit separately — they need different protections

Encrypting data but storing the encryption key alongside it

Defeats much of the purpose of encryption if an attacker who reaches the data can also reach the key

Store keys separately, with proper key management, not alongside the data they protect

Using a fast, general-purpose hash function for passwords

Fast hashes (like plain SHA-256 for passwords) are vulnerable to brute-force attacks in a way password-specific algorithms aren't

Use a password-specific hashing algorithm designed to be slow and resistant to brute-forcing (bcrypt, Argon2)

Treating a valid SSL certificate as proof the whole connection is secure

A valid certificate doesn't guarantee strong TLS configuration or the absence of mixed content issues

Check certificate validity, TLS configuration, and mixed content together, not just the certificate

Skipping encryption for backups because "production is already encrypted"

Backups often contain the same sensitive data and are a common, overlooked point of exposure

Apply the same encryption standard to backups as to production data

Treating compliance requirements as satisfied once encryption is "turned on"

Compliance standards often specify particular algorithms, key management practices, and documentation, not just "encryption exists"

Confirm the specific technical requirements of the relevant standard, not just general encryption



How It Works

Step

What Happens

1. Tell us what needs protecting

Share what data is involved, your current setup, and any compliance requirements

2. We assess the actual gap

We confirm what's currently protected, what isn't, and what standard is genuinely appropriate for the data involved

3. We implement the fix properly

Whether it's HTTPS, hashing, at-rest encryption, or key management, we implement it correctly rather than a surface-level fix

4. We verify it works as intended

We confirm the protection actually functions as expected, without breaking existing functionality

5. We explain what was done

You get a plain-English explanation, useful for your own records or for compliance/stakeholder reporting



Why Codersarts

Encryption is easy to get partially right — HTTPS without HSTS, hashing without a proper algorithm, encryption without proper key management. We assess your actual setup against what's genuinely appropriate for the data involved, and implement fixes that hold up, not just surface-level changes. We've worked on HTTPS/SSL setups, password security, at-rest and in-transit encryption, key management, and compliance-driven encryption requirements for founders shipping their first product and teams preparing for a compliance audit.



Turnaround Time

Straightforward fixes — HTTPS configuration, certificate issues, password hashing implementation — are typically resolved same-day to a few days. Broader encryption audits and compliance-driven implementations are scoped with a clear timeline once we understand what needs review.



FAQ

Question

Answer

Will implementing encryption break our existing functionality?

We test to confirm functionality is preserved — encryption fixes are implemented with backward compatibility and data migration handled carefully where relevant.

Do you handle full compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS), or just the encryption part?

We implement the technical encryption controls involved. Full compliance often also needs legal/policy work, which may require additional specialist input alongside our technical work.

Can you fix password storage without forcing all users to reset their passwords?

Often, yes — there are migration strategies that upgrade hashing on next login rather than requiring an immediate mass reset. We'll advise on the right approach for your case.

Do you need access to our actual data to fix encryption issues?

Usually not the data itself — access to the relevant code and configuration is typically enough.

Is this confidential?

Yes. Security and encryption engagements are treated with strict confidentiality, and an NDA is available on request.

Do you offer a broader encryption audit, not just fixing one specific issue?

Yes — a full encryption and data protection audit across your app and infrastructure is available as its own engagement.



Related Services

  • Authentication & Authorization Vulnerabilities

  • Data Exposure & Privacy Leaks

  • Compliance & Security Standards

  • Vulnerability Scanning & Assessment



Not Sure Your Data Is Properly Protected?


Get a clear assessment of what's actually encrypted, what isn't, and what needs fixing.


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