Encrypting an Output File in IBM Statistics

To improve your experience using IBM SPSS Statistics, the Version 1 SPSS experts have created various Tech Tips. This Tech Tip shows encrypting an output file in IBM SPSS Statistics. 

In IBM SPSS Statistics, you can work inside a single, integrated interface to run descriptive statistics, regression, advanced statistics and machine learning models. You can create publication-ready charts, tables, and decision trees in one tool. IBM SPSS Statistics is easy to use, provides analysis automation, comprehensive statistical tools, integration with open source, and help at your fingertips. 

Once you run output in IBM SPSS Statistics, you can encrypt the output file. Encryption protects the integrity of your output as well as its confidentiality. Encrypting files also protects information from unauthorized parties and prevents data breaches if files and information are transferred between users.  

Once you run your output, go to File and select Save. Provide a File name and tick Encrypt file with password. Click Save. Provide a password and click OK. Once you open the output file at a later point in time, you will need to provide the password. Please note that the password is not recoverable if lost or forgotten.  

You will also want to create a strong password when the file is encrypted. Guidance for creating a strong password can be found at Encrypting data files – IBM Documentation. If you open the encrypted output file and run more output, choose File > Save, and the modified file will be saved with the same password. To change the password of an encrypted file, open the output file and repeat the steps for encryption. Provide a new password. You can save an unencrypted version of an encrypted file by opening the output file, choosing File > Save As and deselecting the Encrypt file with a password in the Save Data As dialog box.