11 compatibility with encryption software, Compatibility with encryption software – Acronis Backup for PC - User Guide User Manual

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Copyright © Acronis International GmbH, 2002-2014

3.11 Compatibility with encryption software

Acronis Backup fully retains its functionality when interacting with file-level encryption software.

Disk-level encryption software encrypts data on the fly. This is why data contained in the backup is
not encrypted. Disk-level encryption software often modifies system areas: boot records, or partition
tables, or file system tables. These factors affect disk-level backup and recovery, the ability of the
recovered system to boot and access to Acronis Secure Zone.

Under some conditions, Acronis Backup is compatible with the following disk-level encryption
software:

Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption

McAfee Endpoint Encryption

PGP Whole Disk Encryption.

To ensure reliable disk-level recovery, follow the common rules and software-specific
recommendations.

Common installation rule

The strong recommendation is to install the encryption software before installing Acronis Backup.

The way of using Acronis Secure Zone

Acronis Secure Zone must not be encrypted with disk-level encryption. This is the only way to use
Acronis Secure Zone:

1. Install encryption software; then, install Acronis Backup.
2. Create Acronis Secure Zone.
3. Exclude Acronis Secure Zone when encrypting the disk or its volumes.

Common backup rule

You can do a disk-level backup in the operating system. Do not try to back up using bootable media
or Acronis Startup Recovery Manager.

Software-specific recovery procedures

Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption

To recover a system that was encrypted by BitLocker:

1. Boot from the bootable media.
2. Recover the system. The recovered data will be unencrypted.
3. Reboot the recovered system.
4. Turn on BitLocker.

If you only need to recover one partition of a multi-partitioned disk, do so under the operating
system. Recovery under bootable media may make the recovered partition undetectable for
Windows.

McAfee Endpoint Encryption and PGP Whole Disk Encryption

You can recover an encrypted system partition by using bootable media only.

If the recovered system fails to boot, rebuild Master Boot Record as described in the following
Acronis knowledge base article: http://kb.acronis.com/content/1507 and reboot.

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