1060: [General] Managing Your Private Encryption Key
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Reviewed 12/31/2009
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By default, Carbonite manages your encryption key for you, so that you only need to remember your username and password to access the files in your backup.
Carbonite stores your encryption key in a database that is itself encrypted and protected.
Currently, only PC (Windows) machines are given the option to manage their private encryption key.
If you choose to manage your private encryption key, you cannot access your backed up files through Remote File Access.
Carbonite offers you the ability to manage your own encryption key if you choose to, but we strongly recommend that you do not choose this option. If you elect to manage your own encryption key, Carbonite will not keep a copy of the private encryption key used to encrypt your files. You will be solely responsible for storing your key, and neither you nor anyone at Carbonite will be able to decrypt the files in your backup without it.
Note: If you lose the encryption key, you will be unable to access your backed up data. If you elect to manage your encryption key, you cannot access your files through Remote File Access.
Should you choose to manage your own private key, we highly recommend that you store at least two separate copies of the key on removable media, and store at least one copy of the key in a separate physical location, such as a safe deposit box. Remember, if you do not have your key when it comes time to restore from your backup, you will not be able to get your files back.
Managing your own encryption key does come with its benefits. While managing your key, you would be the only individual capable of installing the Carbonite subscription associated the private encryption key. After Carbonite has been installed with the private encryption key, you can back up or restore any of your files without needing the key unless you need to install Carbonite.
Some of our customers do prefer to keep their own key for security concerns regarding HIPAA regulations, but by default Carbonite manages your encryption key for you.
If you are not completely sure that you should manage your own private encryption key, we strongly recommend that you allow Carbonite to manage the key for you.
