1. A method, comprising: receiving a database query comprising a logical table identifier, a data element, and at least one data source assurance indicator at a distributed database node within a distributed network of databases, where the at least one data source assurance indicator comprises a request to encrypt the data element for authentication purposes; encrypting the data element based upon the at least one data source assurance indicator; forming a data portion of a local query response to the database query comprising data retrieved from a local physical database table mapped by a local logical table that matches the received logical table identifier; adding a node identifier and the encrypted data element as an authentication portion of the local query response to authenticate the data portion of the local query response; and responding to the database query with at least the authenticated local query response.