Tips For Using Encryption to Safeguard Data

Encryption continues to be a key technology for securing sensitive data over encrypted connections and in storage solutions. As reported on Business Edge, if your organization handles large volumes of sensitive data you need to implement an overall program of encryption for data -- when it is at rest and in transit.

"Use long cryptographic keys: The paper suggests a minimum of the 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard, but you may well want to consider AES-192 for more complexity in generating your keys. The more bits, the harder the keys are to break.

"Back up your keys in a really remote location: If a key gets corrupted during transmission, you need to have a backup so that you can decipher the information. But you must keep those backups as far out of harm’s way as possible. Storing them on an entirely different network is not a bad idea, if you have the resources to do so.

"Encrypt every copy of sensitive data: Most businesses understand the need to encrypt data while it is in transit (VPNs, etc.) and while it is at rest in a production environment. However, once data moves onto tape or other long-term archiving, encryption tends to be viewed as less of a priority. If the information was sensitive enough to encrypt while it was live, it should either be encrypted or destroyed, if it is no longer needed."

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