Ensure the pgcrypto extension is installed and configured correctly

LowLevel 1Manual reviewpostgres

Description

PostgreSQL must implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure or modification of organization-defined information at rest (to include, at a minimum, PII and classified information) on organization-defined information system components.

How it is checked

Audit method: Manual review

This recommendation cannot be checked automatically. A scan lists it with these instructions when you pass --include-manual.

Run SELECT * FROM pg_available_extensions WHERE name = 'pgcrypto'; If data requires encryption and pgcrypto is not available/installed (installed_version empty), this is a fail. If disk or filesystem encryption is required, have the owners demonstrate it.

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Install the contrib package if needed and run CREATE EXTENSION pgcrypto; in the databases that store data requiring column-level encryption; keep keys outside the database.

Properties

Operating systems: Any
Tags: postgresdatabasecryptomanual
Reference: CIS PostgreSQL 18 Benchmark v1.0.0 - 6.11 Ensure the pgcrypto extension is installed and configured correctly