Encrypting Files 1

[PKSIT]

At my company we are going to be deploying laptops with off-line folders to be synchronized with certain network drives.

If anybody has used any type of encryption and synchronization software out there please let me know what you think about it. I would rather not use Windows built in off-line files and encryption feature but looking to see what else is out there i just come across way to much stuff.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks

 

[Rick998]

Can't help you on the synchronisation front but, following comparitive testing, we've used CompuSec for the last 18 months as the standard for all our laptop hard disk encryption and have been more than happy with it. I was very surprised when I discovered it was freeware. See

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/compusec.html

for more info.

Make sure you read the reviews in the link above, 'cos there are a couple of poor ones, before you make any decisions. We have had no problems whatsoever and it suits us as part of a local government authority to encrypt the entire HD... but other people's preferences may vary.

I agree that the initial encryption of the entire hard disk (instead of a small partition reserved solely for the storage of confidential information) IS a little lengthy. However, we couldn't guarantee that our users would actually remember to use an encrypted partition or folder for secure file storage so we were more than happy to encrypt the entire hard disk as this has the additional advantage of keeping our Volume License keys safe.

Another bonus is that CompuSec allows encryption of removable media (although we have only tested this, not used it as standard practise because we've been trialling different makes/models of encrypted USB sticks).

The only downside is that, once encrypted, the hard disks can't be cloned using something like Symantec's Ghost. This means that you have to encrypt hard disk individually. (A small price to pay if it stops your organisation appearing on the front page of a national newspaper. <grin>)

Hope this info helps...

 

[Scotsdude]

as Rick states, CompuSec is pretty good. However, if your company is not comfotable with freeware or shareware products (i can;t use them here - head of IT has serious issues on that score regarding support - prefers commercial stuff with define support agreements) then check out SafeGuard Easy for your encryption.

Also, if you're running into issues with removable devices and other stuff on you laptops, take a long look at Reflex Magenetic's DiskNET Pro. They've recently been bought over by Checkpoint (the firewall security guys) and the product is VERY comprehensive.

------------------------------------------------------
Matt
He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy

 

[PKSIT]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll definitely look into them.

What kind of performance draw backs are there? Is it really noticeable that its slower because of the encryption or would people probably not even notice?