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Type Of OrganizationManaged Disk Encryption Service FAQ
Following are the answers to some common, frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our Managed Disk Encryption Service.
Will your Managed Disk Encryption Service help me meet the legal requirements of Mass 201 CMR 17 and other state privacy protection regulations?
Yes. Not only will mindSHIFT’s managed disk encryption service help you comply with the Mass law, which is effective January 1, 2010, but it also:
• Helps manage compliance with security and privacy requirements of the laws in 44 states, HIPAA and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
• Provides strong security for intellectual property, customer and partner data
To be fully compliant with the new Mass law, you’ll also need to implement other security measures including securing your messaging through an email encryption solution (available from mindSHIFT as a service later this year).
How quickly can my organization be using full disk encryption?
Like any other technology, the usage of disk encryption at your firm depends on how long it takes to:
• Research the technology
• evaluate encryption solutions
• select the vendor
• procure software, licenses and/or hardware
• get up to speed on the technology
• design and architect
• test
• implement/install/roll-out
These steps can take months when done internally. Alternatively, organizations can bypass all of the up-front evaluation, procurement, internal training and implementation by purchasing encryption as a service. Because our IT experts have already done the up-front evaluation and are fully certified in the technology and its implementation, you can be up-and-running in a matter of days – without having to become an encryption expert.
How difficult is it to manage disk encryption after its installed?
Like any other technology, data and disk encryption requires ongoing monitoring and management – fixes, user support and upgrades. You can do this internally, if you have an IT resource, or outsource those tasks to a service provider like mindSHIFT. Either way, you have to be certain to implement and support it correctly or you might protect your data too well and not be able to retrieve it.
How long will it take for users to learn how to do encryption?
Not long at all. In fact, there really isn’t anything users have to learn. The technology is so transparent that training isn’t even necessary. Encryption and decryption are done automatically – completely transparent to both the user and the operating system. Users need only to supply their Windows logon when they are prompted (before their laptop or desktop boots up). It’s the same login so you don’t even have to create or provide new passwords or ask users to take any specific actions to encrypt.
How will my performance be impacted with disk encryption?
Once the hard drive is encrypted, the performance impact is negligible. Some users may notice a performance impact during the initial encryption process; however, this is a one-time-only event during which all current-generation PCs will perform normally, although disk-intensive computing processes may take slightly longer. The initial encryption process can be suspended at any time to complete time-sensitive or disk-intensive tasks.
Can users circumvent the disk encryption process?
No. Once managed disk encryption is deployed, it runs automatically. Users, whether authorized or not, have no ability to prevent it.
What happens if a user forgets or loses his/her password?
With the mindSHIFT managed encryption service – just as with other mindSHIFT managed IT services – mindSHIFT issues a one-time-use password that allows users to regain access. Once this password is used, it is no longer valid and a new password is created if needed in the future. mindSHIFT verifies the end-user is authorized to receive the temporary password thru procedural validation which is established with you at deployment.
Does the service protect information when the device is not on the network?
Yes. The service will apply the last policy it received from the Data Encryption server even if the device is not on the network or Internet.
What kind of service and support does mindSHIFT provide? Is it available to all users?
24x7 service is our hallmark. The fully-trained, highly-experienced IT professionals in mindSHIFT’s U.S.-based Customer Care Center are available around the clock. They are complemented by the IT experts in our Network Operations Center (NOC) if an issue needs to be escalated. You can choose to get support during business hours only if you prefer.
What else can I do to protect my laptop?
First, take measures to prevent laptop loss. Secondly, invest in a laptop recovery service. And lastly, consider a data deletion service.
Does mindSHIFT offer other encryption services?
Managed disk encryption is the first of several encryption service offerings. Expect email and mobile device encryption from mindSHIFT later this year.
Where can I get more information?
Managed Disk Encryption Service Overview
Managed Disk Encryption Service Features
Managed Disk Encryption Service Benefits
For more information on our Managed Disk Encryption Service, contact us or call 877-227-5054 and get the mindSHIFT Advantage.
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