Installation

Install safely on staging before protecting production forms.

Requirements

• WordPress 5.0 or newer.
• PHP 7.4 or newer with OpenSSL enabled.
• Cornerstone Forms installed and active.
• Action Scheduler recommended for delayed encryption and retention jobs.

Recommended setup

1. Install the ZIP on staging and confirm the plugin activates.
2. Add CS_FORMS_ENCRYPTION_KEY outside the database, preferably in environment config or wp-config.php.
3. Add a separate CS_FORMS_SEARCH_KEY if using blind search.
4. Open Settings > Encryption License and activate the license key.
5. Enable Encrypt Field on one low-risk test field and submit a test form.
6. Confirm authorized admins can decrypt the value and unauthorized users cannot.
7. Repeat field-by-field for the forms that need storage protection.

Key backup rule

If the encryption key is lost, existing encrypted values cannot be recovered. Back it up like any other production secret and do not store it in tickets, screenshots, analytics, or email threads.