Why Encryption Matters for Your Data Backups (And How to Do It Easily)
1 min read
Summary
Having a data backup is essential to prevent data loss through hardware failure or deletion, but an unencrypted backup leaves data vulnerable to hackers and unauthorized users.
Encryption tools including BitLocker for Windows, Disk Utility for macOS, and LUKS for Ubuntu and similar distributions, can turn sensitive data into unreadable code, ensuring only those with the password or decryption key can access it.
Even files stored in the cloud should be encrypted before they are uploaded to ensure they are protected from potential vulnerabilities in cloud storage services.
Encrypting files involves creating compressed archives with password protection using tools like WinRAR, Keka, or 7-Zip, or for more robust security using PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) and the Kleopatra GUI.
To maintain data integrity and usability, keep encryption software and backup tools updated and document encryption methods and backup procedures, including passwords and encryption keys.
Test the restoration process periodically to ensure encrypted files can be accessed when needed.
Encryption together with backup strategies can ensure data is both protected and available when required.
The key take-away is that encryption is not just for “espionage” or “elite” communication.
