IDrive Adds Client-Side 256-bit AES Encryption

The NSA’s PRISM program created quite a stir when its existence
was leaked to the public a few months back.

Even enterprises who are protected with higher security for the
data they deal with, like IDrive
Inc. witnessed public tension grow as people became more
suspicious of the security and privacy on the apps and services they
were using.

Users pushed for heightened security, privacy, and anonymity and,
in response, companies started researching ways to make their
products safer, more secure, and spy-proof. The result has been the
sudden surge of security related apps including self-destructing text
messaging, email and social media apps, and telecommunication
services.

Raghu Kulkarni, CEO, IDrive, said: "One of the areas where this NSA-proof security is
absolutely essential is cloud storage and online backup."

Cloud-based companies have access to a large amount of user data,
which can include confidential and sensitive information.

Kulkarni adds: "Any company or service is only as
secure as the privacy policies created by the government that
regulates the company."

Now, nearly every major cloud storage provider encrypts data with
standard encryption techniques, like 256-bit AES encryption. But the
key with which encrypted data is accessed, is still generated by the
company’s software; meaning the company still has access to the data.
IDrive offers an NSA-proof private key encryption technique that
allows users to set an encryption key. The company does not store the
key anywhere on its servers. This means that no one (not even
employees) has access to the data, aside from the user. Even if the
NSA subpoenas for the release of information, until the user gives
out the key, there is no way to access the data.

Kulkarni commented: "Providing end-to-end encryption is
crucial under these circumstances."

Since data is encrypted on the PC and Mac clients before
transmission, there is no way to snoop or access data throughout the
transit. The company extends the private key encryption functionality
to all its apps, including mobile clients (Android, iOS, Windows),
desktop OSs (Mac, Windows) as well as the web app. This feature makes
IDrive a NSA-proof cloud storage and online backup provider.

IDrive’s option for users to set
their own private encryption key
has two advantages:

• Neither the company nor the government has access to the data.
• Greater trust is generated between company and client because the
  user has complete control of their account key during the encryption
  process.