A computer implemented method of applying a unified search for a match of one or more features in a plurality of encrypted records, comprising using one or more processors of a server associated with a database comprising a plurality of encrypted records. The processor(s) is adapted for receiving a query for searching one or more plaintext features in the plurality of encrypted, searching for a match of the one or more plaintext features using a first search methodology and a second search methodology and outputting an indication of matching encrypted records according to the match. Wherein the second search methodology is asymptotically faster than the first search methodology and wherein the first search methodology is used for searching a subset of the plurality of encrypted records selected based on status indication associated with each encrypted record.