Encrypting and decrypting files

Moving files around sometimes requires sensitive data to be exposed in ways that require more secure measures to be taken than simply pushing or pulling the data without encrypting it first. Fortunately, Kettle provides steps that interface with a common security application (GnuPG) and will encrypt, decrypt, and verify that files are secure.

Gnu Privacy Guard (GnuPG) is an implementation of the OpenPGP standard. Open Pretty Good Privacy (OpenPGP) is one of the most used encryption systems in technology and is widely used due to it's ability to digitally sign files to ensure they have not been tampered with. The use of public and private keys allows for files to be encrypted until the right key can be used to decrypt the file and make it accessible again.

To learn more about OpenPGP, check out their official site at http://www.openpgp.org.

Getting ready

This recipe requires GnuPG to be installed on the system running Kettle. It can be found over at the GnuPG website...