A computer implemented method for safeguarding files, comprising the steps of designating a location on a first computer for storage of files to be safeguarded, selecting certain of the files to be safeguarded from the location based upon predetermined selection criteria, copying the selected files to be safeguarded to a second computer, deleting the selected files from the first computer, processing the selected files to be safeguarded on the second computer, and storing the selected files to be safeguarded in a restricted access database. In a second embodiment, the file is copied to a second computer, but not deleted from the first computer, in addition to all other steps of the method. The invention also includes an apparatus for carrying out the methods of the invention.