The most common means of exchanging files or data with someone are insecure. This includes e-mail attachments, file-transfer web services, FTP sites, and even USB drives. However, security can be implemented so safe data exchange can still occur even if you are using an otherwise insecure transfer process.
You need to employ Pre-Internet Encryption or PIE. By pre-encrypting your data before it leaves your system, you gain confidentiality and privacy for your data even if the means of transfer fails to provide a secured connection.
There are many options, easy options, to pre-encrypt data before sending it across the Internet.
- First, you need to have your data or information stored in a file.
- Use a file encryptor to locally convert your original data file into a ciphertext file. Some popular file encryptors include PGP, ZIP tools, and AxCrypt. PGP for use as a file encryptor is available as a commercial product (https://www.symantec.com/encryption) and an open source product known as GnuPG (http://www.gnupg.org/).
- There are many ZIP tools, including PKZIP, WinZIP, and 7-ZIP, each of which support creating encrypted archives. PGP and ZIP utilities are available for most platforms.
- AxCrypt is a standalone Windows based AES encryption tool.
Related Courses:
SESA — Securing Email with Cisco Email Security Appliance Parts 1 and 2
Cyber Security Compliance & Mobility Course (CSCMC)
CISSP Prep Course