Microsoft today announced OneDrive Personal Vault, a new security layer on top of its OneDrive online file storage service that adds additional security features to keep your files save. The security features ensure that the only way to access these files is with a strong authentication method or two-step verification, which can include a fingerprint or face recognition with a Window Hello-compatible device, PIN code or a one-time code sent by email or SMS (which isn’t necessarily the most secure method, of course), or by using Microsoft Authenticator.
In addition, Microsoft is also doubling the storage plan for its $1.99/month standalone OneDrive subscription from 50GB to 100GB. If you’re on a free plan, you’ll be able to try Personal Vault, too, but Microsoft will limit the number of files you can store in it.
If you have a Windows 10 PC, Microsoft will sync your vault to a BitLocker-encrypted portion of your hard drive. After a period of inactivity (three minutes on mobile and 20 on the web or local hard drive by default), OneDrive will lock up the Personal Vault and you’ll have to reauthenticate to gain access again. If you access OneDrive remotely through a browser on another PC, the browser won’t save your Personal Vault files in its cache.
With Office 365 plans, there’s no limit to how many files you can store in your Personal Vault, up to your overall storage limit. If you use the free OneDrive service or the base plan, there’s a limit on the number of files you can add there.
With this feature, Microsoft is setting itself apart a little from some of its rivals. Google Drive, Apple’s iCloud and Dropbox don’t yet have specific folders with additional authentication measures to access them. Microsoft plans to bring Personal Vault to everyone by the end of the year, and it’ll start by rolling out the feature in Canada, Australia and New Zealand soon.
