OneDrive users now have an even more secure way to lock down sensitive data.
When it comes to cloud storage options, data security should be a primary concern. In order to answer the onslaught of online threats, OneDrive announced Personal Vault last week.
What is OneDrive Personal Vault?
Personal Vault brings a new layer of security to OneDrive personal accounts.
It's a convenient way to safeguard sensitive private information.
How Does it Work?
OneDrive already uses the Microsoft Cloud and benefits from Microsoft's security features like file encryption at rest and in transit, virus scanning on download for known threats, and version history for all file types.
However, Personal Vault takes secure storage even further by providing a protected area inside of OneDrive to place extra-sensitive data. Think of it as the big vault in the back of your local bank.
Personal Vault can only be accessed using a multi-step authentication method, such as: fingerprint, face, PIN, or a code sent to you via email or SMS.
With the extra layer of protection, even if someone gained access to your OneDrive, they wouldn't be able to get into the files stored in your Personal Vault.
Even though these extra protected files, which can include photos and videos in addition to documents, are locked away from hackers--they are still very easy for the OneDrive owner to access. Personal Vault can be unlocked using one of the personal verification methods mentioned above, or using the Microsoft Authenticator app.
Personal Vault also auto-locks after a short period of inactivity and if you're working on a Windows 10 PC, OneDrive will sync your Personal Vault files to a BitLocker-encrypted area of your local hard drive.
Add Files to Your Personal Vault on The Run
If you like to scan documents with your phone or shoot video and take photos, you can use the OneDrive for mobile app to deliver these files directly into your Personal Vault.
This can be especially convenient when traveling. Scan identification or insurance documents into your Personal Vault to ensure you have the documentation you need should a travel emergency arise.
How Do I Get My Personal Vault?
Personal Vault is available to OneDrive users on the web, the mobile app, or on a Windows 10 PC.
If you already have OneDrive, Personal Vault will appear as a feature update when it launches later this year in your region. And if you aren’t yet a OneDrive customer, you can download the app or go to www.onedrive.com to start using it on your PC or on the web.
OneDrive’s free or standalone 100 GB plan can try Personal Vault with a limited number of files. Office 365 subscribers can store as many files as they want in Personal Vault--up to their storage limit.
Need help configuring your OneDrive for Business? Work with PTG.
