[KB7137] Why should I make a Key-File backup in ESET Endpoint Encryption?

• This article applies to ESET Endpoint Encryption versions 4.9.0 and later

The ESET Endpoint Encryption Key-File contains the encryption keys used to encrypt and decrypt information secured with ESET Endpoint Encryption.

We highly recommended that you save your Key-File on a different machine than the one that generated the Key-File. If you forget the Key-File password, the backup needs to be located on an unencrypted machine so that you can regain access to your encrypted machines. We suggest storing the Key-File backup on a network drive or preferably a removable media device which is not encrypted.

In the event that anything happens and the Key-File is lost, for example, due to hardware failure, you will be unable to decrypt any information previously encrypted with the Key-File. It is important that you keep a current backup of this file which is stored in a safe location. This backup should be updated whenever you generate new encryption keys or receive encryption keys from another user.

In order to simplify the process of backing up the Key-File, the ESET Endpoint Encryption Key-File Backup Wizard will appear whenever an encryption key has been added to the Key-File. This wizard will copy your current Key-File to the specified location.

If you select the check box next to Always use this folder in future and do not show this dialog, the wizard will automatically save the backup to the selected location when encryption keys are added in the future. This will happen transparently.

The backup filenames are in the format : ESET Endpoint Encryption Key-File Backup 27-1-2007 13-10-30.dat

If your Key-File is corrupted or you wish to setup ESET Endpoint Encryption using your backup Key-File on another PC, use the ESET Endpoint Encryption Key-File Utility to restore it by selecting the Restore a Key-File from a backup location option. You will need to first log out of EEE to make the Key-File option appear in the context menu.

Figure 1-2