File Encryption: What You Need to Know

Of course, this will never change, but security measures like file encryption can create a much needed barrier between data and those seeking access, to ensure the owner of the file never loses control.

While file encryption might not sound like it does anything for your bottom line, it can certainly save your business a lot of trouble from a security standpoint, since encryption can be a valuable defense against cyber-attacks.

While modern encryption is incredibly complex, think of file encryption as you would a decoder ring you might have played with as a child. You encoded a secret message using your decoder ring and only people with that decoder ring could read it – everyone else saw gibberish. This descrambling of text is called ciphertext. You can encrypt individual files, folders, volumes or entire disks on a computer, along with USB flash drives and of course cloud based files.

Why is File Encryption Important?

All organizations need to protect data stored on their computer and company network, particularly those that collect personally identifiable information (PII) like birth dates, names, social security numbers and financial information. If that PII is stolen and the information is leaked or shared, your organization could be facing a lawsuit.

What Devices Can Benefit from File Encryption?

Take laptops for example, by their very nature, they are portable. This means they run the risk of being lost or stolen, and for this reason, it’s important that your organization takes the necessary steps to protect sensitive company data.

In the event your laptop is lost or stolen and the files or disk were not encrypted, it’s easy for a thief to steal your information simply by booting the computer from a USB thumb drive and then accessing the disks in the computer.

At Ontech Systems, we have a variety of file encryption solutions from Symantec and SOPHOS that we use to secure PC’s and laptops. This type of encryption can greatly reduce the risk of data theft.  Contact us to learn more.

3 Types of Computer Encryption

Folder and file encryption: This encryption method only secures the specific items you tell it to. If you’ve only got a handful of business documents stored on a computer, this method might be acceptable.

Volume encryption: This encryption method is one step up from individual file and folder encryption. Think of it as a “container” for files that secures all files and folders created in or saved to that container.

Full-disk or whole-disk encryption: This is the most comprehensive form of computer encryption. In this method, users don’t have to remember to save files to a certain place on the disk, since all files, folders and volumes are encrypted.

With this method of encryption, it is necessary to provide an encryption passcode or have the computer read an encryption key from a USB device when powering on your computer. What this does, is essentially unlock the files so you can access them. For highly sensitive data stored on a PC or laptop, this method can be effective.

Is File Encryption Foolproof?

While file encryption can help protect sensitive company data, like many security methods – individually, it’s not foolproof. For this reason, a layered security approach is the best option for businesses and organizations of all sizes.

With the rise in malware attacks, vulnerability and data breaches, it’s more important than ever to double down on security and implement a layered security approach.

What is Layered Security?

Layered security involves implementing security measures at a system, network and application level. Think of multiple layers of Swiss cheese, stacked side-by-side. If a threat manages to get past one layer of defense, it must get through several others. Through this layered approach, your network is protected behind multiple layers of defense to prevent a single access point of weakness.

This approach offers your organization the highest level of security, particularly when it comes to file sharing. After all, the security of your network is only as strong as its weakest link. No matter what the size of your organization, the cost of a data breach far exceeds what it costs to prevent it.