Encrypting & Decrypting the Database

By default, OfficeMate/ExamWRITER encrypts patient and provider protected health information (PHI) in your database. Passwords are encrypted within the database regardless of whether the rest of the database is encrypted or not; this functionality requires no action on your part.

In rare cases, you may need to decrypt your database to enable access by third-party patient engagement vendors or to troubleshoot data errors. This page describes how to decrypt and re-encrypt your database.

You must back up your database prior to decrypting or encrypting it. If the encryption or decryption process is interrupted due to a power outage, disk failure, system error, or any other reason, the database will become irreparably damaged. Protect your practice by backing up your data!

You cannot change or regenerate the encryption key while the database is encrypted. You must first decrypt the database if you need to change or regenerate the encryption key for any reason.

You cannot decrypt or encrypt the database if any other users are logged in to OfficeMate.

  1. Back up your database.
  2. Open OfficeMate Administration, click Setup, and select Encrypt/Decrypt Database.

    OR

    Open ExamWRITER Administration, click Activities and select Encrypt/Decrypt Database.

    The Encrypt/Decrypt Database window opens.

  3. Click Decrypt to decrypt the database.
  4. Click Close when the decryption process is completed.
  1. Back up your database.
  2. Open OfficeMate Administration, click Setup, and select Encrypt/Decrypt Database.

    OR

    Open ExamWRITER Administration, click Activities and select Encrypt/Decrypt Database.

    The Encrypt/Decrypt Database window opens.

  3. Click Encrypt to encrypt the database.

    The encryption process takes several minutes. The amount of time required depends on the size of your database.

  4. Click Close when the encryption process is completed.

The encryption key is a set of numbers that are used as the basis of the encryption algorithm. An encryption key was generated when you encrypted your database or when your database was encrypted during the OfficeMate/ExamWRITER installation/upgrade process. You should only generate, load, or enter a new encryption key if you're instructed to do so by Eyefinity customer care.

  1. Back up your database.
  2. Open OfficeMate Administration, click Setup, and select Encrypt/Decrypt Database.

    OR

    Open ExamWRITER Administration, click Activities and select Encrypt/Decrypt Database.

    The Encrypt/Decrypt Database window opens.

  3. Click Decrypt to decrypt the database.

    You cannot change or regenerate the encryption key while the database is encrypted. You must first decrypt the database if you need to change or regenerate the encryption key for any reason.

  4. Choose one of the following options to establish an encryption key: 
    • Click Load to revert to the previously saved key;
    • Click Generate to automatically generate a new 16-digit encryption key; OR
    • Type numbers between 1 and 256 in the 16 text boxes to create your own encryption key.
  5. Click Save to save the encryption key.
  6. Click Encrypt to encrypt the database.
  7. Click Close when the encryption process is completed.