Tip 5: Encrypt devices

Encryption is the process of making information unreadable unless someone has the right key. In IT security, encryption is useful because we can make information unreadable to everyone except those that have a legitimate need to access the info.

Many devices these days support storage encryption. In Windows there's BitLocker (available in Windows Pro and Enterprise, and Home if you use a Microsoft account), MacOS has FileVault, and Linux has LUKS. Meanwhile, Android and iOS (for iPhone and iPad) both support encryption and its become on by default in many cases. Learn how to enable encryption so you can protect your data from unauthorised access.

By encrypting your devices you reduce the risk of a data breach in the event a device is lost or stolen. We've probably all heard the horror stories of government departments leaving USB memory sticks or DVDs of citizen data in the back of taxis, and encryption changes the outcome significantly. Once encrypted, the data looks like "random noise" unless you've got the key. Much less of a headline if the government (or your organisation) "leaves USB memory stick of random noise on a bus"!

📱💻Encrypt your devices to protect your data.

🔑 Make sure you have a copy of the recovery key so you don't lose access to your data.

🗐 Have backup copies of your data your data, so you can recover if a device is lost / stolen.

🚌 Panic less if your device is left on a bus!

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