In a digital recording apparatus including a data control circuit 2a, a memory 4, an encryption circuit 5, an interface 6, a DVD drive 8, and a CPU 3, when encryption is required during recording, data is temporarily stored in the memory 4. After the encryption circuit 5 is enabled, the data is encrypted and recording by the DVD drive 8 on a recording medium is resumed. Thus, it is possible to make the encryption circuit operate only when recording a program requiring a content protection and to perform recording or reproducing from the required timing without interrupting the recording or reproducing even during start-up of the encryption circuit.