Andrew Klein – Senior Product Marketing Manager
Thanks to everyone who attended the “A day in the life of a file” web cast, recently. If you missed the web cast, here’s a link to the replay [registration required]. As always, there were many great questions covering a wide range of topics. The questions and answers are summarized below.
Q: Does PGP® Mobile support Android and iPhone devices? If not, when?
A: PGP Mobile is available for Windows Mobile devices. We do receive a number of requests to add support for new devices based on Google Android and Apple iPhone platforms, and we are currently evaluating how support for those devices may fit on our roadmap.
Q: What about the concept of "whole disk encryption" for smart phones? For example, encrypting to protect web browser cache files on a smart phone?
A: Many mobile devices have built-in services to protect the memory cards and internal memory of the device, so it would be counterproductive to add a whole disk-like encryption features to these devices. The goal of PGP Mobile is to add data layer encryption to complement existing security measures so that the protection extends beyond the device, in order to protect use cases where an unauthorized user may have access to an unlocked device, or when the data moves on the network beyond the phone.
Q: How do you support external email use cases, for example, sending a protected file to someone outside of our company who doesn't have PGP software? What if I want them to be able to edit the file and send it back while it is still protected?
A: If you use PGP® Web Messenger, you can send an email and attachment to a recipient who logs into the mail service to receive the file. After reading the message and working on the attachment, the recipient can reply to the email and attach the edited file in order to securely send the new file back.
Q: What is the difference between PGP® Portable and a thumb-drive encrypted with WDE?
A: Both PGP Portable and PGP® Whole Disk Encryption can be used to encrypt USB drives. Additionally, PGP Portable can be used to encrypt data on CDs/DVDs, and can be shared with users who do not have any PGP software. Here is a table which outlines the different USB encryption options available.
Q: Can a USB drive be encrypted using PGP Portable even though the host machine is not encrypted with PGP Whole Disk Encryption?
A: Yes. Learn more about PGP Portable here.
Q: I understand that files transferred from a PGP Portable protected device to an unencrypted system are no longer encrypted. What are suggestions for protecting files needing to be shared with third parties?
A: Although PGP Portable cannot control what an authorized user does with data on a USB drive, the benefit of PGP Portable is that any file editing can be done in-place on the device itself. It is always recommended users view and edit files on the USB drive itself, thus minimizing potential points of failure. Another possibility is to use PGP® NetShare which is designed to protect shared files.
Q: Where can I find additional information about the Massachusetts law on data privacy protection that was recently passed?
A: Start by viewing the PGP web cast MA Data Protection Law: Implementing a Compliance Solution (registration required).
Q: Is Windows 2008 Server supported for PGP NetShare?
A: PGP NetShare is a client-based product. Here is a list of the clients supported. Files protected by PGP NetShare can be stored on Windows systems which support SMB and CIFS storage, which includes Windows 2008 Server.
Q: What are the systems supported by PGP Universal™ Server?
A: There are several hardware and virtualization configurations certified by PGP Corporation which support PGP Universal Server.
Q: For email encryption, does the email client matter? If so, is Outlook 2007 supported?
A: For PGP® Desktop Email a wide range of email clients are supported, including Outlook 2007. For PGP Universal™ Gateway Server, a wide range of the client and servers are supported.
Q: Several people asked about the pending Symantec™ acquisition of PGP® Corporation.
A: Symantec and PGP Corporation understand and respect your concerns. Most questions can be answered here on the Symantec web site. If you have any additional questions, please contact your PGP Sales representative.