I have set up a ReadyNAS 102 at home for a business client who has an office in town. The idea is that he uses his office PC in town and backs it up through ReadyCLOUD to the NAS at home. We have encrypted the volume on the ReadyNAS when created using the built-in encryption option and have set up his office PC with Windows 8.1Pro using BitLocker as he is dealing with client information. My question is regarding the location of his files as it appears that we have 2, possibly 3 locations where files are visible.
The first 2 are obvious: he can view his files on his office PC as normal; through ReadyCLOUD, we can see the files on his NAS; but are these the only 2 locations? For example, if in my office I log on to ReadyCLOUD using his credentials, I can view his files. Are these on his NAS, on a secure Netgear server somewhere acting as a conduit or somewhere else entirely?
The reason for asking is that he is concerned that his files are in more than 2 locations and I was unable to advise him.
His files are only on the NAS (unless he has also stored them on the office PC). ReadyCloud accesses the NAS, but doesn't make copies.
That said, if someone knows (or can hack) his ReadyCloud credentials then they can access the data.
Another option would be to get a home router that supports openVPN. Then he would connect to his home network (including the NAS) directly from his office PC (using the openVPN client), and ReadyCloud wouldn't be in the picture at all. Since he is obviously very concerned about maintaining privacy of his client data, that might be a better approach. The Netgear Nighthawk routers support OpenVPN (including the new R8500)
How you are handling backup?
Note that if the NAS were stolen (with the USB key) that the data could still be compromised. The thief could do an OS reinstall, which would reset the admin password of the NAS. Then he could access the data over the network. You can reduce the threat by getting a UPS for the NAS (which I recommend anyway), and removing/securing the USB key after the NAS is booted. He'd need to reinsert the key before every restart (so using the power schedule wouldn't be an option). However, with spindown enabled the RN102 doesn't use much power.
