In This Article
What data is being backed up?
By default, CrashPlan backs up everything on the hard drive of your College-issued computer, with the exception of system files, system folders, and applications.
Where is my data backed up?
Your data is backed up to CrashPlan's cloud, hosted in their Minneapolis, MN data center.
Is my data secure?
Yes. Your data is protected with 448-bit Blowfish encryption both in transit to the cloud and while stored on CrashPlan's servers. Only you can access your data.
Can government entities access my data?
Hamilton College holds the encryption keys to your backup data. While the College is obligated to comply with valid subpoenas from federal or law enforcement agencies, outside authorities cannot decrypt your data without first obtaining those keys from the College.
Does CrashPlan work off campus?
Yes. CrashPlan backs up your data over any active internet connection, whether you are on campus or working remotely.
How long does the initial backup take?
It depends on the size of your data. Initial backups can range from a few hours to several days. The process runs faster when the machine is idle.
How much data can I store?
The College's CrashPlan plan provides unlimited backup storage per machine.
Can I seed my backup for a large dataset?
No. CrashPlan does not currently offer a seeded backup option for customers in North America. All data must be uploaded over the network.
CrashPlan is making my computer slow. What should I do?
Some performance impact during the initial backup is expected. CrashPlan does its heaviest processing in the first few days after installation as it builds the baseline backup. Once that completes, it transmits only small incremental changes and the impact on your machine should be negligible.
Leaving your computer on and idle overnight can help the initial backup complete faster, as CrashPlan performs more aggressively when the machine is not in active use.
Can I recover an older version of a file?
Yes. CrashPlan retains multiple versions of your files. To restore a previous version, open the CrashPlan client, navigate to the recovery tab, and select the version you need.
Can I access a file remotely through CrashPlan?
Yes, if you have a smartphone. CrashPlan offers a mobile client that allows you to browse your backup and restore files directly to your device or to a cloud storage provider such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
My computer won't boot. How do I recover my data?
Contact the Help Desk as your first step. We will work to get your computer operational again. If the hard drive has suffered damage that prevents normal data recovery, your CrashPlan backup allows LITS to restore your files.
Can I exclude personal data from the backup?
Yes. If you have personal data on your College computer that you do not want stored in the cloud, you can create a DoNotBackup folder at the following location for your operating system. Any files placed in that folder will be excluded from all backups.
- Windows:
C:\Users\<your username>\DoNotBackup
- Mac:
Macintosh HD/Users/<your username>/DoNotBackup
Can I opt out of CrashPlan?
Yes. Use of CrashPlan is not mandatory. We recommend the service and are confident in its privacy and security, but we respect that individual needs vary.
If you opt out of CrashPlan, LITS will not be able to provide data recovery support in the event of a hard drive failure or other data loss incident.
Can I back up lab machines?
CrashPlan is deployed primarily to back up your main office computer. If you believe a lab device would benefit from CrashPlan coverage, contact the Help Desk to discuss your needs with a member of LITS.
Can I back up my personal computer?
No. CrashPlan is licensed for College-owned equipment only. For questions about backing up personally owned devices, contact the Help Desk and we can point you toward appropriate options.
What happens to my data if I leave the College?
When your employment at the College ends, your backup will be flagged as inactive, moved to archive, and purged from the system within one calendar year.
Can CrashPlan be used in a HIPAA environment?
Potentially, yes. HIPAA compliance depends on the specific configuration of each installation and cannot be assumed. If your department handles HIPAA-regulated data, contact the Help Desk to discuss your requirements with LITS before using CrashPlan for that data.
Is CrashPlan SAS 70 compliant?
Yes. All Code42 (CrashPlan) data centers are SAS 70 Type II compliant.
Where can I get further help?
Please consult the sidebar for any related articles. Otherwise please open a ticket to the Help Desk.