Before completely converting your backup process to using library maintenance encrypted tapes, make sure you have a repeatable, tested, and verified backup and restoration process for your encrypted data. Backing up to encrypted tape might require process changes since the encryption process takes more time and system resources than backing up without encryption.

Backup copies of the tape encryption keys should not be made on an encrypted tape. If the original tape encryption key is corrupted or destroyed, there is no way to recover the tape encryption keys if the keys themselves are encrypted.

Consider backing up your encryption keys on a CD or DVD that can be easily stored in a vault or safe.