> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.capstorm.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.capstorm.com/cs-govern/common-tasks/unprotect-database-fields.md).

# Unprotect Database Fields

![](https://869259762-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FyE2QoOSmKpot88Q3kHGR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3236c0be7548c6fa1a53dd74f8584140f5e6ccbb%2F5fcf6d03-Govern-Banner.png?alt=media)

## 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.

![](https://869259762-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FyE2QoOSmKpot88Q3kHGR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e0a3f4b735a705cc9cd7cb0c950751bcc6510ee1%2F3ddf298b-ChooseFieldsToUnprotect.png?alt=media)

![](https://869259762-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FyE2QoOSmKpot88Q3kHGR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0c91a7f9209b8d91cf85db6fcd4f7870e97692be%2F40824402-ConfirmUnprotection.png?alt=media)

## 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.

![](https://869259762-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FyE2QoOSmKpot88Q3kHGR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1c9a179f6927fc2415370542bc9f1b27661b24b6%2F36499817-UnprotectDataBeforeCustodian.png?alt=media)

![](https://869259762-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FyE2QoOSmKpot88Q3kHGR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3cccbc6a6c08cdee4d32e516139768f3811cf8ce%2F7f7594a0-RunDecryptionCustodian.png?alt=media)

![](https://869259762-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FyE2QoOSmKpot88Q3kHGR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e978c7fbaf062a4646ba18178fe2b0df8cf997ab%2Ff494363f-UnprotectDataAfterCustodian.png?alt=media)