Patent ID: 7646867

Claim:
A method, comprising: initiating an encryption process by a processor, to encrypt at least one segment of data in a data storage system to be stored on a first device, wherein a segment of data is a portion of data that is designated for encryption by the encryption process; storing, on a second device physically separate from the first device, a data structure relating to the encryption process wherein the stored data indicates a last segment of data that was not encrypted by the encryption process; toggling at least one Boolean value in the data structure to mark a point of interruption of the encryption process; in response to an interruption in the encryption process, accessing the stored data relating to the encryption process; comparing at least two data values of the data structure to determine which data value includes a most recent stored last segment of data that was not encrypted; and resuming the encryption process from the point of interruption according to the most recent stored last segment of data that was not encrypted.