You can of course store original audio data on removable storage and keep it
in a locked cabinet just as you would analog tapes but I think you are right
that there is an issue here. Digital recordings make it much easier to copy
and transmit data.
If the data is on a networked computer I think one is obliged to put a
certain amount of work into configuring firewalls, antivirus software, using
secure passwords, encryption etc. There are lot tools (many free) and
guidelines out there for ensuring a secure network environment. However, I
think the big problem is that your average user can't be bothered putting
too much effort into this.
Here my suggestions for securing data:
* Turn file sharing off (and block netbios over tcp-ip).
* Use a computer system that forces the user to logon to the system using a
secure password (i.e. a random jumble of mixed case leters, numbers, and
symbols at least 8 characters long) and allows the user to lock the computer
when he or she is not present.
* Use tools to properly configure your computer. Windows users should use
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) to analyze their configuration
and make appropriate changes.
* Use of a firewall to prevent unauthorized network access (e.g. ZoneAlarm)
and keep it updated.
* Isolate home computers behind a properly configured router as well as a
software firewall.
* Use encryption. Some operating systems support file encryption (e.g. NTFS
file system on NT4, W2K, WXP) or try software such as Blowfish Advanced CS 2.12.
* Use anti-virus software (e.g. Norton Anti-virus) and keep it up-to-date.
* Keep up-to-date on security patches and service packs for operating system
software and software applications (e.g. have Windows Update run automatically).
* Dispose of old storage media properly. Files that have been deleted can be
recovered quickly and easily. Formatting the disk is also no protection. The
only way to delete files is to encrypt them and then overwrite them multiple
times. To properly destroy data on old disks it is necessary to use special
software (e.g. Autoclave, Eraser) or physically destroy the disk. You can
also buy special tools to properly trash old data CDs.
You can find out more information on security threats and issues at SANS
Institute and CERT.
Have your eyes glazed over yet? :-)
Alan.
transmit On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 15:19:53 -0800, Betsy Strick
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Are there any special issues involved in assuring confidentiality and the
>protection of research subjects when one is storing digital audio files?
>It's simple enough when using audio tape: I just lock the tape in a drawer
>in a locked office until I no longer need it, then tape over or destroy the
>tape. I don't carry it around with me and don't store the voices of
>interviewees on a computer. Maybe it's a non-issue -- what do you think?
>
>thanks,
>Betsy
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