Flowchart Explanation

Database Flowchart Explanation:

• Load DB Config & Env. Vars

  • Zencrypt reads database credentials (keys, username, password, host, port, etc.) from environment variables or a secure config file (for example, env, zencrypt.ini).

• Initialize Database Connection

  • The application attempts to connect to the chosen database system whether it is MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, etc.

  • Handles exceptions if the DB is unreachable or credentials are invalid.

• Check/Perform User Authentication

  • If the user is not already authenticated, Zencrypt prompts for login or signup.

  • Passwords are salted and hashed using PBKDF2 or Argon2 before checking against the stored hash in the DB.

  • On success, it either issues or validates a JWT/ JSON Web Token.

  • Retrieves user roles/ permissions from the Database (for example, “admin,” “basic_user,” etc.).

• Present DB-Related Actions

  • Once authenticated, the user can select different database-related functions, such as:

    • Store or retrieve encryption keys from a secure table.

    • Store or retrieve encrypted data objects.

    • Log usage: Insert a record of encryption or decryption events like timestamps, user IDs, and file info.

    • Insert access or audit records for compliance.

    • Check and handle key expiry or rotation. For example, if a key is expired, deny usage or auto rotate.

• Execute Chosen DB Operation

  • The appropriate Zencrypt function runs. For example, store_key(), retrieve_key(), log_event(), etc.

  • Zencrypt checks that the user has the correct role/permission for the action.

  • Success or error is returned.

• Return Response / Results to Main App

  • If a key was retrieved, Zencrypt can proceed to encrypt or decrypt data using that key.

  • If logs were stored, it confirms success.

  • If access is denied or an error occurs, Zencrypt handles it gracefully and logs it.

• Continue Zencrypt Workflow or Exit

  • The user can continue performing more database actions or return to other parts of Zencrypt (for example, navigating around the encryption manager, PGP, and all GUI/CLI menus).

  • Once finished, Zencrypt closes the database connection gracefully as part of its teardown function.