How to ascertain selected persons can access my encrypted files after my death?

[Ikijaro]

So, I have some very important files, including bitcoin-wallets, that are
heavily encrypted and copied to several CDs.

The CDs are stored in different places, even in different countries.
I am sure that the files are safe. Only I can decrypt the content on the CDs.

But I also would like selected persons to get access to those files after my death or
in case I am permanently unable to take care of myself.

What kind of options do I have? How others have solved this problem?   


Thank you.   

  -Ikijaro

[Ikijaro]

You're right. CDs indeed are not very reliable medium for long term storage.
I am planning on copying these encrypted files on different mediums as well.

I will also test these copies time to time.

However, this will not solve my original problem.
I need a way to pass the info how to locate and decrypt the files after my death to few persons.

  -Ikijaro

[balanghai]

Hey are you edward snowden? 

[Ikijaro]

You can give your encryption keys with location of media to lawyer to transmit after your death.

Something like this could be an option. This of course creates another problem to find a trustworthy lawyer.
I don't think I just give my encryption keys with instructions and location of media to anyone. Lawyer or not.   

Hey are you edward snowden? 

Heh!
No, I am not Edward Snowden.   
I heard he has set up some kind of 'dead man switch' to send email to several persons.
Or something similar.

My problem with that solution is that I can't be sure these 'switch' services won't suddenly just disappear..
I also can't be sure how trustworthy/legitimate the service I'd choose really is.

I am looking for a solution(s) that stay valid decades.

Technology and the world changes during those years.. 

  -Ikijaro

[dank]

You will not die.

[Cryddit]

Talk to your lawyer.  Print out your wallets and keys on archive grade paper.  Seal them in an envelope, put the envelope in a safe deposit box, add a letter explaining what they are and how to use them, and ensure that your heirs get the keys to the safe deposit box.

[Ikijaro]

Insert key in your body, they will open when you are dead ?

Use several lawyers with parts of information in possession of each (with or without redundancy, so two lawyer of three are needed and one can disapear)

I know a person who bought a small diamond and let a surgeon insert it into his body. He said it's the safest place he knows. 
(as long as not too many people know about that he is carrying a valuable diamond in his body...)   
There may be quite many persons carrying something valuable in their body actually..
I think it is too hardcore though..

Talk to your lawyer.  Print out your wallets and keys on archive grade paper.  Seal them in an envelope, put the envelope in a safe deposit box, add a letter explaining what they are and how to use them, and ensure that your heirs get the keys to the safe deposit box.

Safe deposit box is a good idea. Need to give this a thought.
I should also prepare my will with details who inherits what in the safe deposit box(es).

  -Ikijaro

[virtualmaster]

So, I have some very important files, including bitcoin-wallets, that are
heavily encrypted and copied to several CDs.

The CDs are stored in different places, even in different countries.
I am sure that the files are safe. Only I can decrypt the content on the CDs.

But I also would like selected persons to get access to those files after my death or
in case I am permanently unable to take care of myself.

What kind of options do I have? How others have solved this problem?   


Thank you.   

  -Ikijaro

A Notary eventually could solve it but non-digitally.
This problem is still not solved purely digitally in a secure and decentralized way.
But here you can give an order to send the encryption key to some addresses on a defined date and the CD copies you distribute in advance:
http://www.deadmansswitch.net/
They are other services like this also. Some email providers offer also to send time shifted messages - so you can send it 1/2 year in advance and if you are still living then you shift the sending date in the future.
But you cannot be sure if your data will not be held back after your death or will be not released before.
To mitigate this 2 problems the encryption key could be divided in more pieces with Shamir's Secret Sharing method and distributed among more servers with a failure redundancy.
For ex. by 8/10 division if 8 pieces come together the secret could be revealed.
Eventually Namecoin could implement such a distributed solution.

[Lauda]

Brute force, everyone will have super-alien-computers by then in their homes.