Encryption Standards

This article provides information on the following topics:

• Foxtrot RPA Encryption Overview
• Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
• Foxtrot Encryption Algorithm

Foxtrot RPA Encryption Overview

Foxtrot RPA protects several pieces of information by encrypting it using either the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or a proprietary Foxtrot RPA Encryption Algorithm. Below is a list of information that is encrypted in Foxtrot RPA, including which encryption algorithm is used.

Foxtrot RPA Passwords

If your Foxtrot RPA Administrator has enabled logins, you will be required to enter a username and password to use Foxtrot RPA. This password gives you access to your user settings. This password is encrypted using the Foxtrot RPA Encryption Algorithm.

Send Value Action

The Send Value Action allows the user to send a value to a target - that data is stored in the Botflow. If the user does not want others to see the information, they have the option of encrypting the data. The information is encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

Open Workbook Action

The Open Workbook Action allows the user to specify an Excel workbook password which is stored in the Botflow. The password is encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

Protect Sheet and Unprotect Sheet Excel Action

The Protect Sheet and Unprotect Sheet Actions allow the user to protect and unprotect a sheet in an Excel workbook. The password is encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

FTP Connections

If an FTP Connection is added that is configured with a password, that password is encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

Email Credentials

If you configure Foxtrot with SMTP and/or IMAP account information, the password you provide is encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), also know as Rijndael, provides strong encryption and has been selected by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a Federal Information Processing Standard in November 2001 (FIPS-197). The AES algorithm uses one of three cipher key strengths: a 128-, 192-, or 256-bit encryption key (password). Increasing the encryption key size increases the complexity of the cipher algorithm making it stronger. Foxtrot RPA only uses a 256-bit (the strongest) encryption key when using AES.

Note: AES is extremely secure. In fact, in June 2003 the U.S. Government (NSA) announced that it was secure enough to protect classified information up to the TOP SECRET level, which is the highest security level and defined as information which would cause "exceptionally grave damage" to national security if disclosed to the public.

Foxtrot RPA Encryption Algorithm

The Foxtrot RPA Encryption Algorithm is a proprietary algorithm written by the authors of Foxtrot RPA. This algorithm is not intended to provide strong security. It is designed to mask data to prevent prying eyes from gaining easy access to the information.