Encrypting a dataset column

To secure test data, you must encrypt datasets. You can encrypt data in the columns of a dataset by using an encryption key. When you run a test that utilizes a dataset with encrypted variables, you must enter the encryption key for the encrypted column that the test uses.

Before you begin

You must have created a dataset. See Creating a dataset.

Procedure

  1. Log in to Rational® Test Automation Server if you are not already logged in.
  2. Open a project from the team space.
  3. Go to Author > Datasets, and then select the Branch from the list to find the dataset that you want to encrypt.
  4. Click the Edit icon edit_icon from the Actions column of the dataset.

    Based on the Branch that you selected, the following events occur:

    • The Edit Branch window is displayed if you selected other than the edit branch.

    • The dataset opens in the CSV Editor in a web browser if you selected the edit branch.

  5. Perform one of the steps described in the following table to select or create the edit branch:

    Step description

    Step no

    To select the edit branch

    		 Perform 5.a

    To create the edit branch

    		 Perform 5.b
    1. Perform the following steps to select the edit branch:

      1. Choose the edit branch from the Select branch drop-down list if the edit branches are already existing.

      2. Click Ok.

    2. Perform the following steps to create the edit branch:

      1. Select Create new branch.

      2. Provide a name for the edit branch.

      3. Click Save.

  6. Right-click any cell in a column that you want to encrypt and select Encrypt column data.
    The Encrypt Column window is displayed.
  7. Enter an encryption key in the Encryption Key field to encrypt the data in the column.
    Remember: When you have already encrypted other columns in the dataset, you must enter the same encryption key that you used previously. You can use only one encryption key to encrypt columns in a dataset.
    Important:

    The encryption keys that you use to encrypt data in a dataset are not stored on the server nor can be retrieved from the server. Therefore, you must remember to store the encryption keys in a secure location. You must use the same encryption keys to perform the following operations:

    • View the encrypted values

    • Decrypt data

    • Enable the use of the encrypted dataset during test runs

  8. Click Encrypt Column.
    Asterisks are displayed instead of actual data for the encrypted column.

Results

You have encrypted the dataset column in your project.

What to do next

You can publish the dataset to the Git repository so that other members of the project can use the dataset. See Publishing a dataset.