A method and system for performing a backup operation at a local-area network including at least one LAN device and a LAN gateway includes adding backup data to a local backup archive coupled to the LAN. The process involves heating a Group III metal and a catalytic amount of a metal wetting agent in the presence of a nitrogen source. The sets include select switches for a predetermined set of functions which are executable in the corresponding channels. The generated keys are enciphered using an enciphering algorithm in combination with the passphrase.