Social Sciences Computing - Using SAS with TrueCrypt

SAS can analyze data stored on a TrueCrypt disk; however, SAS must be configured to store work files on the encrypted disk. SAS creates temporary files in the “work” directory. By default the work directory is not on the encrypted drive. To run SAS on the encrypted drive, modify the Windows shortcut for SAS to put work files on the encrypted drive. To configure SAS to use a TrueCrypt disk, add –work X:\SAS-work at the end of the command to invoke the SAS program.
X: is the letter for the encrypted drive
SAS-work is a directory that you created on the encrypted drive for your SAS work files
Full shortcut: SAS 9.1 (English).lnk "C:\Program Files\SAS\SAS 9.1\sas.exe" -CONFIG "C:\Program Files\SAS\SAS 9.1\nls\en\SASV9.CFG" -work x:\sas-work

 

Follow these steps to modify the SAS desktop shortcut:
     

  1. Make a copy of the "SAS 9.1 (English)" shortcut on the desktop by holding down the right mouse button and dragging the shortcut to another part of the desktop. Select "Copy Here"
     
  2. Rename the new shortcut "Copy of SAS 9.1 (Enclish)" to "SAS-encrypted" by right clicking and selecting "Rename"
     
  3. Modify the "SAS-encrypted" shortcut by right clicking and selecting "Properties".

    In the "Target" box, at the end of the command to invoke SAS, add "-work X:\SAS-work". Select "OK".
  4. Invoke SAS with this shortcut

Any files (e.g. output,programs,new datasets) that you save on the TrueCrypt disk will be automatically encrypted.