Today, January 1, 2010 we’ll see the New Nevada Encryption Law go into effect. The State’s Encryption Law requires businesses in Nevada to use Encryption Software while transferring “any personal information of a customer through an electronic transmission,” except via facsimile.

The Updated Encryption Law also mandates PCI DSS Compliance (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) for businesses that accept credit card payments.

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This Law is applicable to all businesses operating in Nevada and in compliance businesses will be protected from liability in the case of a Security Breach.

Let’s take a detailed look as to how it applies to virtually all Nevada Businesses. A few of you might be thinking it does not affect me, when in fact it does. Here’s how.

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If a Business stores the customers

1)     First Name and Last Name

2)     Social Security number or Employee ID No

3)     Driver’s license number

4)     Credit or Debit Card No

Then this updated Encryption Law DOES imply to the Business.

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Alternatively if a Business collects

1)     Employee’s Social Security Number

2)     Driver’s License No

Even if an employee is given an Employee ID No, since the SSN collected is tied to the Emp ID and stored, the New Nevada Encryption Law applies to all Employers.

Also the Encryption Law requires that no Data Storage Device with personal info be moved unless it’s encrypted. This applies in the form of Laptops, External Drives, PDA Phones.

One can read the Actual Nevada Encryption Law from here

Businesses are required to be in compliance as of Today, January 1, 2010. Those that are in compliance will be protected from any liability in the case of a security breach. Those that are not will be liable and it’s easy for Nevada State to find those not in compliance.

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So if your firm is not in compliance and would like to protect itself and be in Compliance they can contact Data Security Consultant Ramit for a personal evaluation and for Full Disk Encryption Plans starting at $139.99/yr. We offer a Streamlined Solution where one can easily implement a complete implementation of managed protection services, including Full Disk Encryption and USB device encryption to machines within their enterprises – be onsite or in the field. Our Encryption Software can get your Laptop Protected in less than 6 minutes. CONTACT US for Encryption Advice.

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The evaluation of the Encryption law is our understanding we will not be liable for any misunderstanding or wrongful evaluation of the law. I hope you found this write up on Nevada Encryption Law helpful and  feel free to share your thoughts and feedback  in the comments below.  We do reward regular commentators with do follow links.  Don’t forget to sign up for my free newsletter and follow me on twitter ( i will follow back )

In this Post I’ll be covering 3 Questions that i get asked quite often

1)      What is Encryption and why do I need Data Encryption Software?

2)      Different Encryption Methods

3)      What are the features to look for while looking for the Best Disk Encryption Software ?

1)      What is Encryption and why do I need Data Encryption Software?

I was at a Christmas Party and was talking with a few friends of mine about a Full Disk Encryption Software, AlertBoot that my company recently launched. Hearing this, my friend’s girlfriend tells me she doesn’t need Laptop Encryption, as she has a really strong Windows Password. I asked her to bring her laptop and open my last post on Windows Password Recovery Tools and her use one of the tools. You should have seen her face when the password cracker cracked her super strong password and showed it to her. So much for strong windows passwords.

Now that you know why Encryption Software is needed, let me tell you what it is and how it helps.

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What is Encryption?

Encryption is the process of taking data and transforming it using a cipher into something that would be unreadable unless one had the key to decrypt it. Now one has to understand that there are different methods and levels of encryption. Some work better then others.

What makes one Encryption Software different form the other is the Encryption Algorithm and Encryption Key. The best Algorithms in the market today are AES and RSA.  For Encryption Key make sure its not less then 128 Bit , though 256 Bit is preferable. What you want to look for is an Encryption Software that has uses Master Boot Record Encryption ( MBR )

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2)      Different Encryption Methods

It really comes down to 2 types of Encryption :

(i) Full Disk Encryption or File Encryption . What’s the difference ? When you encrypt the whole drive, this protects all the information on the drive, thus Full Disk Encryption. While using file encryption you protect individual files leading to the risk of forgetting to encrypt sensitive information leading to a security lapse.

Another thing to consider is with file encryption there’s a lot more load on your PC to open a file than there would be in the case of full disk encryption as each individual file has to be opened, then closed. Like anything else, the more you use it the more wear and tear leading to possible breakdown.  FDE Encryption on the other hand avoids the repetitive process problems due to the fact that it works at a hardware level with a significantly lower break down probability.

(ii) Managed or Standalone Encryption : In order for any encryption deployment to go smoothly encryption as a service is recommended .. I.e. Managed Encryption. It helps you to keep track of encryption keys; track encryption statuses of systems enterprise wide, set restriction on number of failed attempts for logins and much more.

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3)      What are the features to look for while looking for the Best Disk Encryption Software ?

• Have a centrally managed encryption software that may encrypt your hard drive for your desktops and laptops.
• Have USB Port Encryption.
• Have a Powerful Audit Reporting Module for audits.
• Have  24/7 password recovery support, online and phone support.

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I hope you found this write up on Data Encryption Software  helpful and  feel free to share your thoughts and feedback  in the comments below. I do reward regular commentators with do follow links.  Don’t forget to sign up for my free newsletter and follow me on twitter ( i will follow back )

This blog is covers topics like

• Full Disk Encryption
• Search Engine Optimization
• Online Marketing Strategies
• Point of Sale Systems
• Cellular Specials
• Automotive Reviews and Specials
• And occasionally a few good jokes.

If you’d like me to review your product ,  feel free to contact me as well.