Safeguard Your Data With Backup Tape Encryption
Not everyone thinks tape encryption is a good idea. Over the years it has gained a reputation for being slow and unreliable. You may want to ask yourself what your reason is for considering the encryption of backed up magnetic tapes. If the information stored is so valuable and private that the idea of anyone else accessing it horrifies you then encryption may be something for you to take into serious consideration.
A potential data thief could be anyone at anytime, even a trusted friend or employee. An unencrypted tape is easy pickings once it's in the hands of a thief. There are no real preventative measures in place to keep the data from being loaded onto someone else's server. Considering many company backups take place over night, what's to stop an employee with workplace access from taking the vital information?
Data encryption gained a negative notoriety in the 90s when the primary method of encrypting used was with a 56 bit Data Encryption Standard. After it was proven to be penetrable by hackers it was known as an unreliable system. Now there is a higher grade of tape encryption running at 128 and 256 bit encryption standard instead. Encrypted backups do still take longer than without using encryption but the process can be hurried if data compression is done before tape encryption.
Encryption can be done with software or hardware. Many good tape backup software programs have encryption capabilities built in as an option. For higher efficiency and speed when encrypting tapes it's a good idea to only encrypt the most vital of information while leaving the rest unencrypted. This method should be used at the discretion of the user. Even the most harmless of information can be used for ill intent in the hands of the wrong person. Hardware used for backup tape encryption is thought to be advantageous over software. The speed is highly enhanced in comparison moving at 52 MB per second. These devices are known for being high end though and are rarely found for less than one thousand dollars. A top of the line model can exceed ten thousand dollars. Data encryption can be a positive reinforcement for your precious information but it's important to keep in mine the risk that comes with it. The only way encrypted data can be recovered is with the key. Should the key become compromised or forgotten, the information encrypted will be inaccessible. An effective and secure key management strategy is recommended to be put in place and strongly enforced. Tape backup encryption is nothing to take lightly and should be entered into with knowledge and awareness of all pros and cons associated with this method.
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