CTERA C200: Encryption & Compliances

When it comes to backing up your sensitive and valuable information, whether personal or professional, it’s best to have as much security as possible. Luckily, the CTERA C200 offers that top-notch security through the use of encryption.

Encryption is the process of encoding information. The process converts the original form of information, known as plaintext, and converts it into a form known as ciphertext. This ciphertext is unique to the information it has encrypted, and the practice has become standard among many businesses, both large and small.

The CTERA offers a private Cloud solution with military-grade security guaranteed to keep your information safe. 

The CTERA C200 offers two types of encryption:

• Local encryption on your hard drive
• Automatic encryption when backing up to the Cloud

Local Encryption

Whenever we employ a C200 unit to a client, we have the ability to enable local encryption. This can also be done manually by navigating to the “Storage” tab followed by the “Volumes” category.

Here you will find a list of volumes. Any that have a locked padlock symbol next to them means they’re encrypted. Click on the desired volume and a pop-up window will appear. 

Click next on the first page, and you will be brought to a window with two boxes. This is where you can enter your encryption passphrase. There is a tool at the bottom that tells you how strong your chosen phrase is.

Once this is set up, the CTERA will automatically encrypt information for you. This process is done entirely through the CTERA, meaning you don’t need to know a thing about encryption.

Cloud Encryption

Cloud encryption for the CTERA C200 is automatic, and you can see what is being moved to the Cloud by navigating to the “Cloud Backup” tab followed by the “Control Panel.”

The CTERA has a bunch of available security choices, and is in compliance with several programs. CTERA complies with the Department of Defense, GDPR, and HIPPA to name a few, and provides military-grade encryption.

Before any data leaves your CTERA device, it undergoes source-based encryption known as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-256). Once your data begins transferring, it undergoes another encryption process as part of the Transport Layer Security (TLS 1.2) protocol.

Why Does Encryption Matter?

Encryption serves as an extra layer of defense for your data. It’s common practice for companies storing sensitive information, and has an endless number of possibilities to choose from that allow only authorized eyes to view that information.

Think of encryption as a safe locked inside a room. Even if someone managed to make it into the room, their odds of getting into the safe are slim to none because they don’t possess the passcode. 

This is the same with encryption for your data. If a hacker doesn’t have access to your encryption keys, then it’s virtually impossible for them to get through.