Encrypting a Data File in IBM SPSS Statistics

To improve your experience using IBM SPSS Statistics, the Version 1 SPSS experts have created various Tech Tips. This Tech Tip shows encrypting a data 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. 

You can encrypt data files in IBM SPSS Statistics as you are saving the data file. Encryption protects the integrity of your data as well as its confidentiality. Encrypting files can also protect information from unauthorized parties and prevent data breaches if files are transferred between users.  

You can encrypt a file when you save it. Go to File and select Save as. Provide a File name and tick Encrypt file with password. Click Save. Provide a password and click OK. Once you open the 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 ensure that you create a strong password when the file is encrypted. Guidance for creating a strong password is provided at Encrypting data files – IBM Documentation. If you open the encrypted file and make changes, choose File > Save, the modified file will be saved with the same password. To change the password of an encrypted file, open the file and repeat the steps for encryption. Provide a new password. You can save an unencrypted version of an encrypted file by opening the file, choosing File > Save As and deselecting Encrypt file with a password in the Save Data As dialogue box.