Preserve the Modified Dates of files with File Share Encryption (PGP Encryption Desktop)
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Preserve the Modified Dates of files with File Share Encryption (PGP Encryption Desktop)

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Article ID: 415395

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Updated On:

Products

PGP Command Line PGP Key Management Server PGP Key Mgmt Client Access and CLI API PGP SDK Desktop Email Encryption Drive Encryption Encryption Management Server Endpoint Encryption File Share Encryption Gateway Email Encryption

Issue/Introduction

File Share Encryption has the ability to seamlessly encrypt files which does not change the file format.  This allows users to continue to use the files as they were before encryption once they are added as an authorized user.  A word doc will remain a word doc, an excel spreadsheet will remain an excel spreadsheet, etc.  When files are encrypted, the "Modified Date" will be changed to the time when the file was encrypted, although there is a method to prevent the modified date from changing. 

This article will provide details on how to prevent the Modified Date from being changed.

Resolution

The PGPnetshare.exe utility has a "--preserve" option that can be used when encrypting from the command line. There is a document that provides all the use cases for using the command line, but starting in 11.5.0 HF1 there is a parameter you can add in the PGP Encryption Server's policies to prevent this from happening when encrypting using the File Share Encryption UI.

Date Modified timestamp changes during File Share encryption

Note, this functionality is not enabled by default.  To enable, follow the steps below:

  1. Log in to the legacy PGP Encryption Server Administrator Portal (for example, https://keys.example.com:9000/omc).
  2. Navigate to Consumers > Consumer Policy.



  3. Click the name of policy you wish to edit used by File Share users.
  4. In the General section, click the Edit button.
  5. In the next page, under the Edit XML Preferences section at the bottom, click Edit Preferences.



  6. A text editor type window will open. You only need to modify the options at the bottom as follows.
  7. In the XML Preferences Editor, select Set.
  8. In the Pref Name field, type preserveFileAttributes



  9. From the Type drop-down list, select Boolean.
  10. In the Value field, type true, and click Save.

You should see the attribute added to the bottom of the text field above with the attribute under it. During the next policy update, the PGP Encryption Desktop client receives the updated preference. Subsequently, encrypted files and folders retain their Modified Date and Read-only attributes.

 

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