1. Encryption The Good kind of obscurity
Brad Saxton, Senior System Administrator, ITS

2. What Is Encryption?
In short, it is changing information into another format that makes it impossible (or really, really, really, really hard) to read unless you know/have something
In other words, it is a way of ensuring that the information is only readable by the intended recipient. Think about "secret messages" that spies send to each other
The math behind it is really complicated but you don't need to know any of that. Suffice it to say that using good encryption makes it virtually impossible in a finite amount of time to decrypt the information

3. Why do we need it?
More and more critical information is being sent around and might get inadvertently exposed to less than ethical people
Personal information
Passwords
Credit cards
Pictures
Losing these can be at a minimum embarrassing and potentially costly
Confidential Information at Work
Student information
HR information
Losing these can be potentially damaging to Brock and very costly in terms of money and reputation

4. Where Can/Should It Used?
Mobile Devices (ie. Tablets, phones, laptops and USB keys)
Encrypting your storage makes it "impossible" to access in the event your device is lost or stolen
Web sites
Always check that the "lock" icon is there when doing anything private
Encrypted documents make it impossible for others to read in the event the is sent to the wrong people

5. Availability
Most modern operating systems allow for the encryption of the entire storage including USB sticks and external drives
MAC OSX (File Vault)
Windows (BitLocker)
Apple IOS (ie. IPhone)
Enabled by default if you use a passcode/password (you have one right?)
Android
On by default for Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) if you use a passcode/password (and who wouldn't)
Available in Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) through 5.0 (Lollipop)
Word Processors/Spreadsheets
All can encrypt a file with a password

6. Sending Files Via Email
is by definition "not secure" since it is not guaranteed to be encrypted and it is going through multiple servers
The could be intercepted
You could send it to the wrong person(s)
Having completely encrypted is possible but far too awkward for most users
When sending confidential information to a colleague or outside person via , it is important to make sure that the information can't be read by anyone but the intended recipient
By encrypting the file before sending, even if the file "goes wandering", the password is still required to open the file
Never send the password the same way that you send the file.
For example, call the person, text them, "snail mail" it, have an agreed upon password

7. Checking a website for encryption
Demonstration
Checking a website for encryption

8. Demonstration
Encrypting a word/excel document

9. Demonstration
How to encrypt a file for USB, or file transfer

10. Questions? See brocku.ca/information-technology/security for complete details
There are no "stupid questions"…..
… only "stupid Answers"