PGP Whole Disk Encryption and FCP performance at DVinfo.net

Christopher Edmonds · January 20th, 2010, 04:55 PM

Wondering if anyone uses PGP Whole Disk Encryption, and if so have they noticed any impact on FCP performance or other issues?

I have an MBP w/ 10.6 and latest FCS that I edit on- now that PGP WDE is available for Snow Leopard I am considering using it to encrypt my system drive and my externals (had a few laptop and other thefts in the past, and paranoid about data theft).

Thanx!

Robert Lane · January 21st, 2010, 01:29 PM

Encrypting a working drive for video work isn't recommended. Some apps actually use a dual-archive data stream which encryption software sometimes incorrectly identifies as an intrusion and halts the operation, which will then cause either the NLE to crash or worse, corrupt an entire project.

If you're concerned about someone getting unauthorized access to your work then do two things:

- Disconnect your edit system from any internet connection and;

- Put a password on your account and "log out" every time you leave your edit station.

Encryption is a nightmare you just don't want to attempt on an edit system, period.

Christopher Edmonds · January 21st, 2010, 01:39 PM

Thanks but my concern is not internet intrusion or unauthorized access, it is that my laptop and external drives have been stolen in the past.

I don't care as much about the loss of the hardware as I do about the exposure of information to others.

I haven't found encryption to be a nightmare, but my experience with it is limited to Unix based systems (Linux, BSD/OS X, Solaris).

I am curious which apps you are referring to.

Robert Lane · January 21st, 2010, 01:49 PM

I've never tested PGP in a FCP environment and don't plan to but even in a SAN workstation environment at large post houses running main-frame systems they still don't' encrypt local station HDD's for the same data-collision problems that come from rendering operations.

All I can say is try it out on a non mission-critical project and see how well FCP and your third-party software handle it.

A better solution would be to always use external HDD's and put all your assets there and store it separately from your laptop, rather than the single internal on the laptop. Then even if the laptop goes away your precious commodity of project assets won't.

January 20th, 2010, 04:55 PM	#1
Christopher Edmonds New Boot Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kingston, Jamaica Posts: 12	PGP Whole Disk Encryption and FCP performance Wondering if anyone uses PGP Whole Disk Encryption, and if so have they noticed any impact on FCP performance or other issues? I have an MBP w/ 10.6 and latest FCS that I edit on- now that PGP WDE is available for Snow Leopard I am considering using it to encrypt my system drive and my externals (had a few laptop and other thefts in the past, and paranoid about data theft). Thanx!

January 21st, 2010, 01:29 PM	#2
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,825 Images: 15	Encrypting a working drive for video work isn't recommended. Some apps actually use a dual-archive data stream which encryption software sometimes incorrectly identifies as an intrusion and halts the operation, which will then cause either the NLE to crash or worse, corrupt an entire project. If you're concerned about someone getting unauthorized access to your work then do two things: - Disconnect your edit system from any internet connection and; - Put a password on your account and "log out" every time you leave your edit station. Encryption is a nightmare you just don't want to attempt on an edit system, period.

January 21st, 2010, 01:39 PM	#3
Christopher Edmonds New Boot Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kingston, Jamaica Posts: 12	Thanks but my concern is not internet intrusion or unauthorized access, it is that my laptop and external drives have been stolen in the past. I don't care as much about the loss of the hardware as I do about the exposure of information to others. I haven't found encryption to be a nightmare, but my experience with it is limited to Unix based systems (Linux, BSD/OS X, Solaris). I am curious which apps you are referring to.

January 21st, 2010, 01:49 PM	#4
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,825 Images: 15	I've never tested PGP in a FCP environment and don't plan to but even in a SAN workstation environment at large post houses running main-frame systems they still don't' encrypt local station HDD's for the same data-collision problems that come from rendering operations. All I can say is try it out on a non mission-critical project and see how well FCP and your third-party software handle it. A better solution would be to always use external HDD's and put all your assets there and store it separately from your laptop, rather than the single internal on the laptop. Then even if the laptop goes away your precious commodity of project assets won't.