in my data security round-up I also want to make solid backups of data - something that is long over due!

Bought a USB HDD, plugged it into one of the office computers, made a folder for each staff and shared that one with that staff only. Well, that was the plan, but the user of this computer also has access to the backups.

In the process, I realized that the built-in backup software of win7 does not support password protection, something that older versions had. It is beyond me why they took this out, but anyways, this is a must!

So...any recommendations for a solid backup program that is preferrably open source?

This might be of interest and its FREE

http://download.cnet...tml?tag=mncol;8

and this one is alot smaller

http://download.cnet.com/FBackup/3000-2242_4-10907579.html?tag=recommendedDownloads

This one is recommended by professionals: http://b2.crashplan.com/

Free for personal use.

Probably taken out because bit locker can be probably be used.

Do not neglect the need for off site backup too as anything at the site could mean disastear and that is often dangerous for buiness continuity.

sounds good at first glance. Do you know whether those programs support password protection, or - even better - encryption?

Do not neglect the need for off site backup too as anything at the site could mean disastear and that is often dangerous for buiness continuity.

that's why the back up is on an external USB HDD. The accountant is supposed to take the drive home in the evening and therefore, encryption would be a good thing.

You could always start by encrypting the whole drive with TrueCrypt

You can take a look at these. Believe all support encryption.

Cobian Backup

Personal Backup

Comodo Backup

Bacula

It's not free,but the one I use is Backup4all. It can encrypt,but I use Truecrypt instead.

Backup4all