> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.qanapi.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Smart Data Proxies Overview

> Understanding Qanapi Smart Data Proxies for secure data encryption and transmission

# Smart Data Proxies

The Qanapi Smart Data Proxy provides a powerful HTTP endpoint that allows you to seamlessly encrypt, classify, and protect data within any HTTP request, ensuring that sensitive data is never exposed to the destination.

## What is a Smart Data Proxy?

A Smart Data Proxy acts as an intermediary between your application and external services, automatically encrypting sensitive data before it leaves your control. This approach:

* **Protects sensitive fields** while allowing non-sensitive data to pass through normally
* **Preserves data structure** in JSON payloads
* **Maintains HTTP methods and headers** from the original request
* **Hides sensitive data** from destination services
* **Simplifies integration** with existing applications and services

## Accessing Your Data Proxy

Each project in Qanapi has its own dedicated Smart Data Proxy endpoint. To find your proxy endpoint:

1. Navigate to your project in the Qanapi dashboard
2. Click on the **Data Proxies** tab
3. The page will display your proxy details, including:
   * The environment (e.g., Development)
   * The specific URL for your data proxy (e.g., `https://your-tenant.qanapi.cloud/proxy/your-project-id`)

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/qanapi-8623f8e7/images/data-proxy-page.png" alt="Data Proxy Page" />

## Key Features

The Smart Data Proxy offers several powerful features:

### Selective Field Encryption

Choose which fields in your JSON payload require encryption, allowing you to protect only the sensitive data while leaving non-sensitive data in the clear.

### Request Forwarding

Optionally forward the modified request (with encrypted data) to another service, allowing for seamless integration with existing workflows.

### Transparent Decryption

Easily decrypt data that was previously encrypted by Qanapi, with proper authentication and authorization.

## How It Works

The Smart Data Proxy follows this general workflow:

1. **Your application** sends a request to the Qanapi Smart Data Proxy
2. **The proxy** authenticates your request using your API key
3. **Qanapi** encrypts the specified fields in your payload
4. **The proxy** either:
   * Returns the modified payload with encrypted data to your application, or
   * Forwards the modified request to a destination service you specify

## Required Headers

When using the Smart Data Proxy, you must include these headers:

| Header                   | Description                                                                     |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `X-Qanapi-Authorization` | Your API authorization token                                                    |
| `X-Qanapi-Mode`          | Specify `encrypt` for encryption and `decrypt` for decryption                   |
| `X-Qanapi-Fields`        | Comma-separated list of fields in the JSON payload to be encrypted or decrypted |
| `Content-Type`           | Set to `application/json` for JSON payloads                                     |

## Optional Headers

You can also include these optional headers:

| Header                    | Description                                                               |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `X-Qanapi-Classification` | The classification level of the data (e.g., `cui`, `health`, `financial`) |

## Use Cases

Smart Data Proxies are ideal for:

* **API Integrations**: Secure data before sending it to third-party APIs
* **Database Operations**: Encrypt sensitive fields before storage
* **Regulatory Compliance**: Ensure sensitive data is properly protected for compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
* **Zero Trust Architecture**: Support zero trust security models by encrypting data at all times

## Next Steps

Learn how to use the Smart Data Proxy for:

1. [Encrypting Data](/api-v1/data-proxies/encryption)
2. [Decrypting Data](/api-v1/data-proxies/decryption)
3. [Forwarding Encrypted Data](/api-v1/data-proxies/forwarding)

Or explore our language-specific examples:

* [cURL Examples](/api-v1/examples/curl)
* [Python Examples](/api-v1/examples/python)
* [JavaScript Examples](/api-v1/examples/javascript)