Pendragon Software Support Page

Palm OS 5.2 incorporates a mechanism for encrypting databases on the handheld. This encryption is very secure. You can choose to have the device auto-lock after a certain period of inactivity, and you can choose which applications and databases are encrypted.

Pendragon Forms Service Pack 4 has a new scripting function that detects whether the auto-locking encryption has been turned on, and whether Pendragon Forms and its databases are set to be encrypted.

The function is called FORMSSECURITY and it returns “Y’” if Pendragon Forms is set for encryption, “N” otherwise.

Here is a sample script that uses the new function:

open:
    if formssecurity == “Y” then
        msgbox “Pendragon Forms encrypted”
    else
        msgbox “Pendragon Forms is not encrypted”
    endif

Note that this function does not affect or enable the encryption, it merely detects its presence.

Furthermore, a padlock icon will appear at the top of the main forms list screen when the application has been locked using OS 5.2 encryption.

A note about HIPAA compliance for Pendragon Forms users in the healthcare industry:

Pendragon Forms is a general purpose database development tool. As such, it is possible to create applications that either meet or do not meet security requirements of the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It is your responsibility as a Pendragon Forms developer of medical applications to ensure that your application is operated in a HIPAA-compliant manner.

We strongly recommend the use of encryption technology on the handheld to protect sensitive information recorded in Pendragon Forms. Many newer Palm OS 5.x devices include powerful, built-in encryption features. With the built-in and third party security applications, a wide variety of strategies are available for keeping handheld data secure and conveniently accessible.