Systems, methods and computer program products are described that analyze the code of an application and, based on the analysis, identify whether data elements (e.g., columns) referenced by the code can be encrypted, and for those data elements that can be encrypted, recommend an encryption scheme. The recommended encryption scheme for a given data element may be the highest level of encryption that can be applied thereto without affecting the semantics of the application code. The output generated based on the analysis may not only include a mapping of each data element to a recommended encryption scheme, but may also include an explanation of why each recommendation was made for each data element. Such explanation may include, for example, an identification of the application code that gave rise to the recommendation for each data element.