Data Encryption & Data Security in Odoo

Key Points

• Odoo encrypts data in transit using HTTPS with 256-bit SSL and at rest with AES-256 for Odoo Cloud, ensuring robust security.
• On-premise installations require additional configuration for data at rest encryption, as it's not enabled by default.
• The evidence leans toward Odoo using PBKDF2+SHA512 for hashing sensitive fields like passwords, with community modules available for additional encryption needs.
• For on-premise setups, as administrators must implement their own encryption measures for data at rest.

Data Encryption in Odoo

Overview

Odoo ensures data security by encrypting data both in transit and at rest, particularly for its cloud offerings, using industry-standard protocols. For on-premise installations, additional configuration may be needed to achieve similar levels of encryption.

Data in Transit

Odoo secures data in transit using HTTPS with 256-bit SSL encryption, which is standard for protecting data as it moves between the client (e.g., a web browser) and the server. For Odoo Cloud, this is enabled by default, and internal server communications also use end-to-end encryption. For on-premise setups, it's recommended to run Odoo behind a web server like Apache or nginx that handles HTTPS, ensuring data remains encrypted during transmission.

Data at Rest

For Odoo Cloud, all customer data, including databases and stored files, is encrypted at rest using AES-256, a highly secure encryption standard. This applies to both live data and backups, protecting against unauthorized access if storage is compromised. For on-premise installations, however, data at rest is not encrypted by default, and administrators must configure additional measures, such as using encrypted file systems or database-level encryption (e.g., PostgreSQL with pgcrypto).

Sensitive Fields

Odoo uses PBKDF2+SHA512 for hashing sensitive fields like passwords, ensuring they are securely stored and cannot be easily reversed. For other sensitive data, community modules like "data_encryption" from the Odoo Community Association can be used, though these are typically for development and not recommended for production without validation.

Survey Note

As of July 11, 2025, data encryption in Odoo is a critical aspect for ensuring the security and confidentiality of business data, particularly in the context of cloud and on-premise deployments. Odoo, an open-source suite of business applications, implements encryption for data in transit and at rest, primarily for its cloud offerings, using industry-standard protocols. This survey note provides a comprehensive analysis of how data encryption works in Odoo, drawing from official documentation, community resources, and module details, ensuring a thorough understanding for administrators and developers.

Background on Data Encryption in Odoo

Odoo's security framework is designed to protect sensitive information throughout its lifecycle, from transmission to storage. The official security page highlights that Odoo Cloud ensures data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, using HTTPS with 256-bit SSL for communications and AES-256 for stored data. For on-premise installations, while data in transit can be secured via web server configurations, data at rest encryption is not enabled by default, requiring additional administrator intervention. Community modules extend functionality for specific encryption needs, but their production readiness varies.

Data Encryption in Transit

Odoo ensures data in transit is protected using industry-standard protocols, particularly for Odoo Cloud:

• HTTPS with 256-bit SSL Encryption: All communications between client instances (e.g., web browsers) and Odoo servers are protected with HTTPS, using 256-bit SSL encryption. This is the standard for secure web communication, ensuring data cannot be intercepted during transmission.
• End-to-End Encryption for Internal Communications: For Odoo Cloud, internal server communications are secured with end-to-end encryption, further protecting data as it moves between servers.
• SSL Certificate Strength: Odoo Cloud uses SSL certificates with a 2048-bit modulus and full SHA-2 certificate chains, achieving an A+ rating on SSL Labs tests, and servers are regularly patched against vulnerabilities.
• On-Premise Considerations: For on-premise installations, the official documentation recommends running Odoo behind a web server (e.g., Apache, Lighttpd, or nginx) that implements HTTPS encryption. This ensures data in transit is protected, but it requires configuration by the administrator.

Data Encryption at Rest

Odoo's approach to data at rest encryption varies between cloud and on-premise deployments:

• Odoo Cloud:
  • All customer data, including database content and stored files, is encrypted at rest with AES-256, a symmetric encryption algorithm considered highly secure.
  • This encryption applies to both production databases and backups, ensuring that even if physical storage is compromised, data remains inaccessible without the encryption key.
  • The official security page states: "All customer data (database content and stored files) is encrypted at rest, both in production and in backups with AES-256."
• On-Premise Installations:
  • Unlike Odoo Cloud, on-premise installations do not have built-in encryption for data at rest by default. Administrators must implement additional measures to secure the database and stored files.
  • Possible methods include:
    • Using encrypted file systems at the operating system level.
    • Configuring the PostgreSQL database (Odoo's default database) to use encryption features like pgcrypto for specific fields.
    • Ensuring backups are encrypted, which may require manual configuration or third-party tools.
  • The lack of default encryption for on-premise data at rest may be controversial, as it places the burden on administrators to ensure compliance with security standards, especially for sensitive data like financial or personal information.

Encryption of Sensitive Fields

Odoo provides specific mechanisms for protecting sensitive fields, particularly passwords:

• Password Hashing: Odoo uses PBKDF2+SHA512 for hashing user passwords, with salting and key stretching for thousands of rounds. This is an industry-standard method that makes it computationally infeasible to reverse-engineer passwords, even if the database is compromised.
• Additional Encryption for Fields: For other sensitive data, Odoo does not automatically encrypt fields at the application level. However, community modules provide options:
  • "data_encryption" Module (OCA): This module, maintained by the Odoo Community Association, allows encrypting and decrypting data. It is a low-level module, not usable by itself, and serves as a base for others like "server_environment_data_encryption." It is noted as an alpha version, suitable for development or testing, not production, with configuration requiring environment-specific encryption keys.
  • "field_encryption" Module: Available on the Odoo Apps Store for version 15.0, this module enables storing encrypted field values in the database using symmetric AES encryption. It serializes and encrypts fields before storage, decrypting them on retrieval, and requires defining an "Encrypted" type field with an "encrypt='encrypted'" attribute.
  • Example from Community: Discussions on forums, like Stack Overflow, mention encrypting password fields directly in modules, using methods like MD5 (though outdated) or recommending Odoo's built-in password_crypt field post-version 8.0 for secure storage.

Comparative Analysis

To organize the implementation details, consider the following table summarizing encryption methods in Odoo:

Security Considerations

When implementing or relying on Odoo's encryption, consider:

• Security Practices: Ensure HTTPS certificates are valid and up-to-date, especially for on-premise setups. For data at rest in on-premise, use strong encryption keys and regularly back up encryption configurations.
• Compatibility: Community modules for field encryption must be compatible with your Odoo version, and their alpha status means potential changes in design, requiring testing before production use.
• Controversy: There may be debates around the security of on-premise deployments, as the lack of default data at rest encryption could be seen as a gap, especially for industries with strict compliance requirements like HIPAA or PCI DSS. Administrators must ensure compliance through additional measures.

Resources

• Odoo Security
• Odoo On-Premise Documentation
• data_encryption Module
• field_encryption Module

Conclusion

Odoo's data encryption works effectively for Odoo Cloud, with HTTPS for data in transit and AES-256 for data at rest, complemented by PBKDF2+SHA512 for sensitive fields. For on-premise installations, while data in transit can be secured via web server configurations, data at rest encryption requires administrator intervention, potentially using community modules for specific needs. This dual approach ensures flexibility and security, though on-premise setups may face additional complexity and controversy around compliance. For detailed guidance, refer to the provided URLs and official documentation.