USB Encryption: FAQs
Q. Do I have to encrypt my USB storage device?
A. No. You only have to do this if you copy files from the University network onto the device. Copying files FROM the device will not force encryption. Please note, it is strongly recommended that you use the provided alternatives (remote access to H: and S: drives, e-mail, Moodle or SkyDrive) as these are more secure methods of file transport. Help for using these alternatives can be found either on the IT Help pages or through the IT Service Desk.
Q. I frequently do presentations around the world. Will my encrypted device still work?
A. Any modern PC running Windows will be able to read the content on your USB device. Therefore, you will be able to present your work as normal.
Q. I have Windows XP/Windows Vista/Mac OS at home. How does encryption effect me?
A. If you encrypt your USB device then it will become read-only on XP/Vista, meaning you can open files and copy files off the device, but you won't be able to save files or copy files onto the device. If you have Windows 7 then you will be able to read and write to the device as normal.
If you will be using your encrypted device on Windows XP/Vista make sure the file system of your device is FAT or FAT32 before encrypting it. If the file system is NTFS and you encrypt it, then it will work in Windows 7 but not in XP/Vista at all. You can check the file system of your device by right-clicking it in "Computer" eg. the E-drive, and choosing "Properties".
For Mac OS users see 'Encrypted USBs and Apple Macs'.
Q. Our department uses an external USB hard drive. Will it also need encrypting?
A. Yes. Whoever is responsible for a University external hard drive, must ensure it is encrypted as soon possible. Failure to do so will mean they are breaching the University security policy, and therefore could be personally responsible for any loss of data.
Q. I have Office 2003 at home. Will this cause a problem?
A. Not in relation to the encryption of USB devices. The latest version of Office is available for staff to take home and install, free of charge, and we recommend you do this to ensure complete compatibility with the University environment. The DVDs are available from at the SIZ reception desks on both sites. You will need your staff card to borrow a DVD.
Q. Will this change affect any non-USB storage medium (such as CDs and DVDs)?
A. No. Although the auditors’ recommendation was to disable such devices, we are not changing how CD/DVD devices work.
Q. I have an iPhone. Will I have to encrypt it when I plug it in?
A. No. You won’t be able to copy files onto the iPhone from the University network so you will therefore not be asked to encrypt it.
Q. Why do USBs have to be encrypted?
A. The auditors believe that there is a real security risk associated with these devices, as they are easily lost, corrupted, and could contain either 'personal' data (covered by the Data Protection Act) or other data the University would not wish to find in the public domain. They therefore asked us to “enforce strong encryption” if we could not disable the use of such devices. The latest version of or Data and Systems Security Policy reflects this requirement.