Endpoint Encryption

I have a seagate freeagent external HD that uses GE to encrypt the contents.  The HD drive has not been accessed in a little over 3 years and I am no longer sure if I used a certificate or password to unlock the system.  What I do know is if it was PW protected, I've forgotten the password and if it is certificate protected my access card and certs have changed several times.  Since this is a Navy/Marine Corps Intranet computer/external HD, the current technical support contractor (I think is HP) is not obligated to unlock GE encrypted files if PW protected.  While I await field services to show up and determine if it is Cert or PW protected.  I want to cover my bets and find out if I can decrypt this drive without knowing the PW.  I cannot believe I am the first person to forget (if it is PW protected) my PW.  The NMCI technical support told me if it is PW protected and you do not know the PW the hard drive is garbage.

Allen Gehris

allen.gehris@navy.mil

I'm afraid your technical support is correct, if they keys (password or certificate) have been lost, then the data is lost.

If you have any documentation on your GE implemenation you can check to see if the Master Recovery Certificate option was used, and see if this has been archived anywhere (assuming we are talking about Removable Storage Encryption here).

Other than that, you might try logging a case with Symantec: http://www.symantec.com/support/techsupp_contact_phone.jsp