# Unprotect Database Fields

![](/files/bV66cgZUHAhsDBXbIqYV)

## Unprotect Database Fields

The procedure for removing CS:Govern protection from a field is quite simple.

1. [Choose the field(s) to unprotect.](#choose-the-field-s-and-unprotect-them)
2. [Tell CS:Govern to remove protection from the field(s).](#choose-the-field-s-and-unprotect-them)
3. [Use a Custodian to unmask the field(s).](#unmask-field-s)

## Choose the Field(s) and Unprotect Them

Open the *Edit* *Field Rules or View Field Rules* tab and uncheck the field(s) to remove them from CS:Govern protection.

![](/files/7wLcpNHJpRckZ80LH0fR)

![](/files/KbtgrbrsMKobJ8TJnkca)

## Unmask Field(s)

When a field is removed from CS:Govern protection, new and updated values will be stored directly in the corresponding CopyStorm table BUT records masked before the removal of protection will still be masked.

* CapStorm applications respect CS:Govern masking rules in real-time and will automatically begin using unmasked values for all subsequent data inserts or updates.
* CS:Govern automatically creates a Custodian which will unmask every value safely even while other database updates are in progress.

To return a field completely to its unmasked state, run the Custodian which was created.

![](/files/D3KLPE6VtFsIxhAUQOU9)

![](/files/pOlkVZ9sbCTdeVtKW4v0)

![](/files/RFmCta1gWzn8WDvyJsaB)


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