Add fields as protected to allow for class extension

[AndreKurait]

Description

Add fields as protected to allow for class extension

• Category: Enhancement
• Why these changes are required? To allow for other projects to extend from this one
• What is the old behavior before changes and new behavior after changes? Classes did not allow visibility into member variables which would be needed in superclass extension.

Issues Resolved

N/A

Is this a backport? If so, please add backport PR # and/or commits #
N/A

Testing

Unit Tests

Check List

• [ x] New functionality includes testing
  • [ x] All tests pass, including unit test, integration test and doctest
• [ x] New functionality has been documented
• [x ] Commits are signed per the DCO using --signoff

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