Ask Slashdot: How Would You Implement Site-Wide File Encryption?

Recently-leaked CIA documents prove that encryption works, according to the Associated Press. But how should sys-admins implement site-wide file encryption? Very-long-time Slashdot reader Pig Hogger writes: If you decide to implement server-level encryption across all your servers, how do you manage the necessary keys/passwords/passphrases to insure that you have both maximum uptime (you can access your data if you need to reboot your servers), yet that the keys cannot be compromised... What are established practices to address this issue?
Keep in mind that you can't change your password once the server's been seized, bringing up the issue of how many people know that password. Or is there a better solution? Share you suggestions and experiences in the comments. How would you implement site-wide file encryption?

Comments

Full Spectrum Problem

[packrat0x]

The choices include encrypting files (tar/gz/bz archives), directories, whole user directories, whole physical volumes, whole logical volumes, etc. One large enrypted volume means single point of failure: One key/password gives access to every file. More divisions means more keys/passwords, but less access if one is compromised. Therefore, server level encryption is appropriate if one person is responsible for the entire contents on the server(s).

hire someone

[ooloorie]

How Would You Implement Site-Wide File Encryption?

Hire someone who knows what they are doing. Seriously, if this is for a business, there are lots of complex issues with compliance and audits in addition to availability and the possibility of sabotage. And this causes enough work that you'll probably need to hire someone anyway, so it might as well be someone who knows this stuff.

Dealing with those requires experience. And the very first thing you need to come to terms with is: what risks are you actually trying to protect against? What tradeoffs are you willing to make and what risks (mainly of data loss) are you willing to accept? How much are you willing to spend on this?