SYSTEM FOR USING A VIRTUAL TAPE ENCRYPTION FORMAT
A system and method for storing electronic data in accordance with the present invention, requires receipt of the data to be stored from a back-up server. The data is then compressed, encrypted and formatted by the system to create a virtual file. An encryption key and “meta-data”, which includes information about the physical attributes of electronic data in the virtual file, are also created by the system. The virtual file, with meta-data, can then be held at a storage device without specifically formatting the virtual file for the device. The encryption key is held separately for subsequent use in file reconstruction.
1 . A method for storing an electronic data file which comprises the steps of:
receiving the data file from a back-up server, wherein the data file has a format;
compressing the data file;
encrypting the data file;
creating meta-data, wherein the meta-data includes information regarding physical attributes of the data file format; and
moving the compressed and encrypted data file to a storage device for storage.
2 . A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of prescribing an encryption key for use in decrypting the encrypted data file.
3 . A method as recited in claim 2 wherein the encryption key is a 256 bit key.
4 . A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of placing the encryption key at a key manager site, separate from the storage device.
5 . A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the meta-data is placed with the encryption key at the key manager site.
6 . A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the data file format is a first format protocol and the storage device has a second format protocol.
7 . A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the first format protocol is different from the second format protocol.
8 . A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the second format protocol is selected from a group consisting of an electronic library, a disk, a tape and a DVD.
9 . A method for storing an electronic data file, wherein the data file has a format, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:
receiving the data file from a back-up server;
preparing a virtual file, wherein the virtual file includes the contents of the electronic data file;
creating meta-data, wherein the meta-data includes information regarding physical attributes of the data file format; and
moving the compressed and encrypted data file to a storage device for storage.
10 . A method as recited in claim 9 wherein the preparing step comprises the steps of:
compressing the data file; and
encrypting the data file.
11 . A method as recited in claim 10 further comprising the step of prescribing an encryption key for use in decrypting the encrypted data file.
12 . A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the encryption key is a 256 bit key.
13 . A method as recited in claim 10 further comprising the step of placing the encryption key at a key manager site.
14 . A method as recited in claim 13 wherein the meta-data is placed with the encryption key at the key manager site, separate from the storage device.
15 . A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the data file format is a first format protocol and the storage device has a second format protocol.
16 . A method as recited in claim 15 wherein the first format protocol is different from the second format protocol, and wherein the second format protocol is selected from a group consisting of an electronic library, a disk, a tape and a DVD.
17 . A device for storing an electronic data file which comprises:
a means for receiving the data file from a back-up server;
a means for preparing a virtual file, wherein the virtual file includes the contents of the electronic data file;
a means for creating meta-data, wherein the meta-data includes information regarding physical attributes of the data file format; and
a means for moving the virtual file to a storage device for storage.
18 . A device as recited in claim 17 further comprising:
a means for compressing the data file; and
a means for encrypting the data file.
19 . A device as recited in claim 18 further comprising:
a means for prescribing an encryption key for use in decrypting the encrypted data file; and
a key manager site for holding the encryption key.
20 . A device as recited in claim 19 wherein the data file format is a first format protocol and the storage device has a second format protocol, and wherein the second format protocol is selected from a group consisting of an electronic library, a disk, a tape and a DVD.