The database audit showed something was off. A column meant to be encrypted was sitting in plaintext. For teams using Field-Level Encryption, this is the nightmare you work to prevent—and why a Field-Level Encryption Quarterly Check-In matters.
A quarterly check-in is not busywork. It’s a deliberate process to ensure every piece of sensitive data is encrypted as planned, stays encrypted in transit and at rest, and cannot be accessed without the right keys. It verifies that your encryption schema is still intact, your key rotation schedule is current, and your field mapping covers all necessary data.
Start by reviewing your current encryption policy against real database state. Pull a fresh schema dump. Match field definitions against your original encryption blueprint. Look for drift—new fields without encryption flags, old fields that no longer match policy, or widened data types that may weaken security guarantees.
Then, inspect your key management. Check that key rotation is actually happening on schedule. Audit which services and accounts have access to master keys. Document key lifecycle events so you can demonstrate compliance if required.