Preparing to Install PEF

Because some system software may not be compatible with PEF, you should do the following before continuing with the installation:

Determine what software, if any, is affected by PEF. Pay particular attention to any software that requires a link to the CP object directory or access to the source directory and any program using DIAGNOSE X’84’.
Install PEF using reversible encryption. At this point, software that you have overlooked in Step 1 could fail to work properly. If this happens, you can remove reversible encryption, returning your directory to decrypted (clear text) passwords, and remedy the problem.
If you installed PEF using forward encryption, you cannot decrypt the passwords; you will have to manually change all user ID passwords.
After using CA VM:Secure with reversible encryption, change to forward encryption of passwords to provide greater security for your passwords. When you forward encrypt your passwords, they cannot be decrypted. If you decide to remove PEF, you cannot recover the clear text passwords. After removing PEF, the encrypted passwords that are in the directory are used by CP in the normal way. This means that you must enter the passwords in their encrypted form to logon or link until the passwords are changed.