The present invention is directed to a system and method for adding data
encryption services to a document processing device. Encryption
enablement software, which includes two alternate encryption mechanisms,
is received by an associated document processing device. The device then
awaits an associated user's selection of an electronic document file to
be encrypted and subsequently encrypts the file using one of the
available encryption mechanisms. The electronic document file is divided
into blocks having a preselected length. An encryption key block
containing first and second key portions, is then generated. The
electronic data file is then encrypted using the first encryption key
portion to form first level encryption data. The first level encryption
data is then decrypted using the second encryption key portion to form
second level encryption data. The second level encryption data is then
encrypted using the first key portion to form a final encrypted
electronic document file.