# Data Classification

Once you have [setup data encryption](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/data-encryption/encryption-setup) on your ngSurvey installation or on your survey you will be able to define one of the following classification for the data you would like to encrypt.

* [Internal](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/data-encryption/data-classification/internal) data will be encrypted at the database level but available in clear to users having access to the survey using the ngSurvey administration interface. (medium)
* [Sensitive](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/data-encryption/data-classification/sensitive) data will be encrypted at the database level but available in clear to the survey owner using the ngSurvey administration interface. (high)
* [Restricted](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/data-encryption/data-classification/restricted) data will be encrypted at the database level using a PGP public key. Data can only be decrypted using the corresponding private PGP key and pass phrase. (very high)

{% hint style="info" %}
You can switch from one or the other classification at any time however encryption will only be applied to newly collected data, any existing data will remain in its original state encrypted or not. 
{% endhint %}