_DISK UTILITY is an essential data protection tool for Mac users, and will assist you in encrypting your backup hard drives, USBs, Compact Flash cards and SD cards. It is easy to use, and comes installed on all Mac computers.

Will you be sharing your backups with teammates on other operating systems? If you want the freedom to access your encrypted backups from both Mac and Windows computers alike, use the multi-platform, open-source tool VeraCrypt.

STEP 1

Prepare an external storage device for use as a secure backup device.

Before you do anything: You’ll be reformatting your external storage device in the process, so, before you encrypt it, make sure it doesn’t contain any files you can’t live without. Move essential files to an intermediary location, like your trusted computer, and then return them to your secure backup device once it’s encrypted.

STEP 2

Create your encryption passphrase, and store it somewhere safe.

You’ll need your encryption passphrase to access your encrypted device. It’s important that you use a passphrase that is complex, unique, and typeable. You can use a password manager, or dice, to generate a robust encryption passphrase.

Don’t lose access to the data on your encrypted device! Store your passphrase somewhere safe, like a password manager, or even on a piece of paper with a trusted third party.

STEP 3

Get started encrypting external storage devices on Mac with Disk Utility.

Ready to encrypt your backup storage media? This Disk Utility encryption guide provides step-by-step instructions.