Sending files attached to an email has become a very common method to exchange data of different sorts. This method however is not secure since emails which are sent unencrypted over the open internet can be read by unauthorized third parties.

The increasing use of secure email systems and digital signature methods based on certificates is going to diminish this problem - but the difficulties in getting a certificate and configuring the email-system to use encryption and signatures is slowing the implementation down, and as of yet only few people has configured their email systems to receive and send secure emails. Hence there is a need to be able to encrypt a file in a simple, effective and secure way before it is attached to an email and sent via the insecure internet

Mobile storage media like USB-sticks, memory cards and such has special advantages since they are easy to transport and can store large amounts of data. Due to the size however there is a significant risk that these media get lost or stolen and they are not suited to store confidential data. Encrypting the files stored on these media types will make storage and transportation of confidential data possible and prevent disclosure to unauthorized third parties.

SFED is a Windows program able to encrypt files so that they can not be read by unauthorized third parties. The program uses the most recent encryption standards and is based on IBM CCC’s FIPS 140-2 certified encryption library CliC

SFED is able to build an encrypted file encapsulating a whole folder structure which is reestablished at decryption. The encrypted file can easily be moved to a mobile storage media or sent to a recipient as an attachment to an email. When decrypting the file SFED enables the user to choose which files and folders to decrypt and extract.

IBM has great expertise in development of security solutions and has for many years been a front mover in development of hard- and software for cryptography. The Danish Crypto Competence Center vas established in the 1980'ties in connection with the establishment of the Danish Credit card system "Dankort". The Center has been growing ever since and employs a large number of highly skilled specialists in cryptography, PKI, Key Management, Smart Cards etc.