Backing Up the Encryption Key

After creating the encryption key, you should back it up. You must back up the key to a 3.5-inch floppy disk.

Security Recommendations for Storing the Backup Copy of the Encryption Key

You should lock up the backup disk for the encryption key in a safe place.

The encryption key is the encryption key that is used as part of the encryption process for each of the credentials. Because it is the key that decrypts the encrypted credentials stored in the database, the backup copy of the key should not be stored with the backup copy of the database. If a user obtains a copy of both the database and the key, the user names and passwords could be compromised.

Important  You cannot manage the encryption key remotely. To manage the encryption key, go to the computer running as the job server and specify these settings locally.

Back up the encryption key

1. On the SharePoint Portal Server Central Administration for server_name page, in the Component Configuration section, click Manage settings for single sign-on.

   Alternatively, click Start, point to All Programs, point to SharePoint Portal Server, and then click SharePoint Portal Server Single Sign-On Administration.

2. On the Manage Settings for Single Sign-On for server_name page, in the Server Settings section, click Manage encryption key.
3. Insert a 3.5-inch disk into a disk drive on the computer running as the job server.
4. On the Manage Encryption Key page, in the Encryption Key Backup section, in the Drive list, click the letter of the disk drive, and then click Back Up to back up the encryption key.
5. In the completion message box that appears, click OK.
6. Remove the 3.5-inch disk from the disk drive.