ServiceNow now offers a comprehensive native encryption architecture for securing sensitive data on the ServiceNow AI Platform. Key capabilities include Field Encryption, Field Encryption Enterprise, Cloud Encryption, Database Encryption, and the Key Management Framework (KMF).
ServiceNow is therefore no longer limited to basic encryption. In particular, Field Encryption Enterprise provides capabilities for Customer-Supplied Keys, Key Lifecycle Management, Key Rotation, HSM-based key protection, Access Policies, and Auditing.
For organizations, the key question is therefore:
Is native encryption within the ServiceNow platform sufficient, or should an independent data security layer provide greater control over sensitive data and encryption beyond ServiceNow?
This is precisely where the relevant comparison between ServiceNow Encryption and eperi sEcure arises.
eperi sEcure vs. ServiceNow Encryption at a Glance
| Criterion | eperi sEcure | ServiceNow native Encryption |
| Native ServiceNow Encryption | No | Yes |
| Customer-Supplied Keys | Yes, depending on the use case | Yes, particularly with Field Encryption Enterprise |
| Key Lifecycle Management | Yes | Yes, via KMF |
| Pre-Cloud Data Protection | Yes | Not the primary approach of native platform encryption |
| Platform-independent | Yes | No, ServiceNow-centric |
| Protection across multiple SaaS platforms | Yes | No, focused on ServiceNow |
| Multi-Cloud approach | Yes | ServiceNow-centric |
| ServiceNow AI Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Central security layer across different applications | Yes | No |
| Encryption before data leaves the customer environment | Yes | No |
| Control over keys and policies | Yes | Yes, with different capabilities depending on the encryption function |
ServiceNow documents Customer-Supplied Keys, Key Rotation, Key Lifecycle Management, HSM-based key protection, role- and access controls, and Auditing for Field Encryption Enterprise, among other capabilities. Customer-Supplied Keys can be used instead of keys generated by ServiceNow. The key difference therefore lies not in whether encryption exists, but in the architecture, control model, and scope of application.
What Encryption Does ServiceNow Offer?
ServiceNow combines several encryption technologies under its Platform Encryption architecture.
Field Encryption
Field Encryption enables the encryption of specific fields and attachments within the ServiceNow platform. Access to encrypted data can be controlled within the ServiceNow Platform through roles and corresponding security mechanisms.
The encryption is performed by ServiceNow, meaning that the keys are held by the cloud provider and the provider sees the data in plaintext before encrypting it.
Field Encryption Enterprise
Field Encryption Enterprise extends the capabilities of native field encryption and uses the Key Management Framework.
Key capabilities include:
- Key Lifecycle Management
- Key Rotation
- Customer-Supplied Keys
- HSM-based key protection
- Access Policies
- Auditing
- Encryption of fields and attachments
ServiceNow also describes a hierarchical key architecture in which Customer Data Encryption Keys are protected across multiple levels. The root keys are secured using an HSM.
Cloud Encryption
Cloud Encryption is designed to encrypt the database and/or data within the ServiceNow environment. ServiceNow positions the capability as part of its comprehensive Platform Encryption architecture.
Database Encryption
Database Encryption protects stored data in the database in real time. ServiceNow describes a multi-level key architecture and also supports variants with customer-controlled key management.
Encryption takes place at the database level and is designed not to impair application functionality.
Key Management Framework
The Key Management Framework is a central component of ServiceNow's encryption architecture. Among other things, it manages key hierarchies and supports capabilities such as Key Rotation, Key Lifecycle Management, and Customer-Supplied Keys.
What Is the Key Difference Between ServiceNow Encryption and eperi sEcure?
The key difference lies in where encryption is positioned within the data architecture.
With its native encryption capabilities, ServiceNow focuses on protecting data within the ServiceNow platform. The different functions address different layers—from individual fields and attachments to database and key management.
eperi sEcure, by contrast, follows a platform-independent Data-Centric Security approach. The solution protects data before it leaves the customer environment and keeps sensitive information encrypted within ServiceNow. eperi sEcure acts as an additional security layer without modifying the ServiceNow AI Platform itself.
This creates two different architectural models:
ServiceNow Native Encryption
- Encryption within the ServiceNow ecosystem
- Native integration with the platform
- Field Encryption and Field Encryption Enterprise
- KMF for key management
- Customer-Supplied Keys available
- Cloud and Database Encryption
- Particularly suitable for organizations that primarily want to protect their data within ServiceNow
- And that accept the possibility of ServiceNow accessing data in plaintext
eperi sEcure
- Independent security layer between organizations and cloud applications
- Protection of sensitive data before it leaves the customer environment
- Cross-platform approach
- Central policies across different applications and cloud services
- Encryption, tokenization, and pseudonymization
- Focus on data control and digital sovereignty
- Relevant for organizations using ServiceNow together with other SaaS and cloud platforms
- Function-preserving approach
ServiceNow Encryption vs. eperi: Native Integration or Independent Security Layer?
The key consideration is not simply which solution provides better encryption, but rather which security architecture is required.
Organizations that operate ServiceNow as their central platform and want to address their encryption requirements within the ServiceNow ecosystem can already make use of extensive capabilities provided by native encryption.
For example, Field Encryption Enterprise provides its own key management, lifecycle management, and additional control mechanisms. However, in this scenario, ServiceNow as the entity performing the encryption also has access to the data in plaintext.
The situation is different when an organization wants to protect sensitive data independently of the SaaS provider or apply consistent rules across multiple cloud and SaaS applications.
In this case, an independent security layer can provide advantages: Data sovereignty can be maintained, and the data security policy is not exclusively tied to a single SaaS platform.
eperi sEcure for the ServiceNow AI Platform
Since November 2025, eperi has provided a version of eperi sEcure designed for the ServiceNow AI Platform as a ServiceNow Build Partner.
The solution protects data before it leaves the customer environment without changing the functionality of the ServiceNow AI Platform. Organizations retain control over encryption keys and policies.
This means eperi addresses not only traditional ServiceNow data, but also the question of how sensitive information can be protected within an increasingly AI-driven service and workflow architecture.
This is relevant for organizations that want to use ServiceNow AI while maintaining particularly high requirements for data protection, confidentiality, and digital sovereignty.
Why Is Data Sovereignty Becoming More Important for ServiceNow AI?
AI is changing the significance of sensitive organizational data.
Service and business data can not only be stored, but also analyzed, linked, summarized, and used for automated processes.
This makes one central question increasingly important: Which data may an AI platform process, and who controls the encryption of that data?
ServiceNow is expanding its AI Platform accordingly with its own security and encryption mechanisms. This also includes the Key Management Framework with its hierarchical key architecture.
For organizations with particularly high requirements for data sovereignty, the question may therefore also arise as to whether an additional, SaaS-provider-independent security layer such as eperi sEcure should be deployed.
ServiceNow Encryption vs. eperi: Native Integration or Independent Security Layer?
The key consideration is not simply which solution provides better encryption, but rather which security architecture is required.
Organizations that operate ServiceNow as their central platform and want to address their encryption requirements within the ServiceNow ecosystem can already make use of extensive capabilities provided by native encryption.
For example, Field Encryption Enterprise provides its own key management, lifecycle management, and additional control mechanisms. However, in this scenario, ServiceNow as the entity performing the encryption also has access to the data in plaintext.
The situation is different when an organization wants to protect sensitive data independently of the SaaS provider or apply consistent rules across multiple cloud and SaaS applications.
In this case, an independent security layer can provide advantages: Data sovereignty can be maintained, and the data security policy is not exclusively tied to a single SaaS platform.
When Is ServiceNow Native Encryption the Right Choice?
ServiceNow's native encryption capabilities are particularly relevant when:
- ServiceNow is the central platform for the respective use case.
- Encryption should be integrated as deeply as possible into the ServiceNow platform.
- Key Lifecycle Management should be handled through the ServiceNow Key Management Framework.
- Native ServiceNow security capabilities are preferred.
- The possibility of ServiceNow accessing data in plaintext is accepted.
Field Encryption Enterprise provides extensive capabilities for key management, access control, and auditing.
When Is eperi sEcure Relevant?
eperi sEcure can be particularly relevant when:
- Sensitive data needs to be protected across multiple SaaS applications.
- An independent security layer is required regardless of the cloud provider.
- Data should be protected before entering a cloud or SaaS environment.
- ServiceNow is part of a multi-SaaS or multi-cloud strategy.
- Consistent data security policies are required across different applications.
- Digital sovereignty and control over encryption keys are particularly important.
- Sensitive data needs to be protected in a function-preserving manner, including in the context of AI applications.
eperi sEcure is a platform-independent encryption solution for use with ServiceNow that does not modify the ServiceNow AI Platform itself.
ServiceNow Encryption or eperi sEcure: Which Solution Is the Better Fit?
There is no universal winner.
ServiceNow native Encryption is the natural choice for organizations that want to address their encryption requirements within the ServiceNow platform and benefit from native integration, KMF, and ServiceNow-specific capabilities, while also having no regulatory data protection requirements that require provider exclusion.
eperi sEcure is particularly relevant when requirements extend beyond ServiceNow—for example, across multiple SaaS platforms, multi-cloud environments, or when an independent security layer for sensitive data is required, as mandated by regulations in certain industries.
The strategic question is therefore:
Should data security primarily be part of the ServiceNow platform, or should it be organized independently of individual cloud and SaaS providers?
For organizations with a single architecture strongly focused on ServiceNow, the native capabilities may be sufficient.
For organizations with a heterogeneous cloud environment, however, a platform-independent approach such as eperi sEcure can provide an additional layer of data control.
Conclusion
ServiceNow now offers a powerful native encryption architecture. Field Encryption Enterprise, KMF, Customer-Supplied Keys, Cloud Encryption, and Database Encryption address different requirements for data and key protection.
The relevant competitive advantage of eperi therefore lies in its architecture and approach to data control:
ServiceNow protects data with native security and encryption capabilities within its own platform ecosystem. eperi sEcure, by contrast, positions itself as an independent data security layer that is designed to protect sensitive data before it leaves the customer environment and to standardize data security policies across different cloud and SaaS environments.
For organizations that consider ServiceNow in isolation, the native encryption capabilities may be the appropriate solution.
For organizations that use ServiceNow as part of a broader multi-SaaS, multi-cloud, or data sovereignty strategy, eperi sEcure is a relevant alternative or complementary solution.
FAQ
What Is ServiceNow Field Encryption?
ServiceNow Field Encryption is a native capability for encrypting specific fields and attachments within the ServiceNow platform.
What Is Field Encryption Enterprise?
Field Encryption Enterprise is the enhanced version of ServiceNow field encryption. It uses the Key Management Framework and provides capabilities including Customer-Supplied Keys, Key Lifecycle Management, Key Rotation, HSM-based key protection, and Auditing.
Does ServiceNow Support Customer-Supplied Keys?
Yes. ServiceNow supports Customer-Supplied Keys, particularly with Field Encryption Enterprise. Customers can use their own keys instead of keys generated by ServiceNow.
What Is the ServiceNow Key Management Framework?
The Key Management Framework (KMF) is ServiceNow's key management architecture. It supports capabilities including Key Lifecycle Management, Key Rotation, and Customer-Supplied Keys and uses an HSM-based key hierarchy.
What Is the Difference Between eperi and ServiceNow Encryption?
ServiceNow provides native encryption capabilities within its own platform. eperi sEcure, by contrast, follows a platform-independent approach and acts as an additional security layer for protecting sensitive data across different cloud and SaaS environments.
Can eperi Protect the ServiceNow AI Platform?
Yes. eperi sEcure protects sensitive data before it leaves the customer environment without changing the functionality of the ServiceNow AI Platform.
Is eperi sEcure a Replacement for ServiceNow Encryption?
That depends on the use case. For purely ServiceNow-internal encryption requirements, ServiceNow's native capabilities may be the appropriate solution. eperi sEcure, by contrast, addresses requirements for platform-independent data security, multi-SaaS, multi-cloud, and digital sovereignty.
Do you want to use the cloud without giving up control over your data?
Learn how eperi sEcure protects sensitive data in SaaS and cloud applications.
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