A method of encrypting a data file includes: opening the data file; selecting, via a first user interface, a portion of the data file; encrypting, via an encryption component, the selected portion of the data file as one of a first level of encryption associated with a first authorized user and a second level of encryption associated with a second authorized user so as to create an encrypted data file; and saving the encrypted data file. The encryption component includes an out-of-band encryption key component having stored therein, a first encryption key associated with the first level of encryption and a second encryption key associated with the second level of encryption.