Disk Encryption for Data Protection: Mac Story
The Apple Tip of the Week feed describes using the Disk Image utility to create encrypted disk images for data protection. This permits the user to export the data, such as posting it to a site in the cloud (e.g. Google Apps), or carrying it on a USB-enabled storage device, without fear of disclosure because it is an encrypted image.
I originally was using the File Vault utility to encrypt the entire home drive folder set, and that covers any data that you would want to protect that is in attachments or download folders. Then you don't have to be entirely expeditious about saving all your sensitive data in a disk volume. This turned out to be a true risk mitigation for me a couple of years ago when I was in an automobile accident that resulted in my laptop bag and computer becoming launched out of the back of my car upon impact. Fortunately my injury was minor, but if I had been incapacitated, my data on the laptop would have been protected from disclosure should the laptop been lost.
I've been using this approach since OS-X 10.4 came out with that feature, mostly because disk backup challenges were simplified. However, I've been using Time Machine now I think I'll move to the file vault utility again, feeling confident about being able to back up and recover encrypted data.
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