Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for file encryption and decryption. In an embodiment, a method of encrypting a file on backup media involves encrypting clear data using a data encryption key applied to a data encryption algorithm and outputting encrypted data; storing the encrypted data on the backup media; encrypting the data encryption key using a reference cryptographic key applied to a key encryption algorithm and outputting an encrypted data encryption key; and storing the encrypted data encryption key and reconstitution data in a header of the backup media. The encrypted data may be subsequently decrypted by identifying the reference cryptographic key using the reference cryptographic key name; applying the reference cryptographic key to a key decryption algorithm to decrypt the encrypted data encryption key; and applying the decrypted data encryption key to a data decryption algorithm to decrypt the encrypted data.