What steps do you take to ensure the security and integrity of digital archival materials during the process of transferring content to external repositories or trusted digital preservation networks?

Sample interview questions: What steps do you take to ensure the security and integrity of digital archival materials during the process of transferring content to external repositories or trusted digital preservation networks?

Sample answer:

1. Encryption: Employ robust encryption techniques to protect digital archival materials before transferring them to external repositories or trusted digital preservation networks. Implement standardized encryption algorithms like AES-256 or RSA-4096 to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the data during transmission.

2. Secure File Transfer Protocols: Utilize secure file transfer protocols such as SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) or File Transfer Protocol over SSL (FTPS) to establish a secure connection during data transfer. These protocols offer robust encryption and authentication mechanisms to safeguard the integrity and privacy of the digital materials.

3. Checksums and Hash Verification: Generate checksums or hash values for each digital archival file before and after transfer. Use cryptographic hash functions like SHA-256 or MD5 to generate unique identifiers for the files. Compare the checksums before and after transfer to ensure that the data has not been corrupted or altered during the process.

4. Redundant Backups and Disaster Recovery: Implement a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan to protect against data loss or corruption. Maintain multiple copies of the digital archival materials in secure and geographically dispersed locations. Regularly test the backup systems to ensure they are functioning correctly and can restore data if necessary.

5. Access Control and Authorization: Establish strict access controls to limit access to the digital archival materials only to authorized individuals or groups. Implement role-based access control (RBAC) or other access management systems to manage user permissions and privileges. Regularly review and update access privileges to ensure the appropriate level of access is granted.

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   Source: https://hireabo.com/job/18_0_10/Archival%20Librarian