Is there a workaround for this that is similar to the workaround from before we had backup compression in Standard Edition? Back then it was:

* Backup the database

* Compress the .bak file to .7z or something

* Delete the .bak file

* Let the .7z file be the one that goes onto the tape or whatever your backup medium is

So if people getting stuff off your backup tapes is the issue for you (as per the article):

* Backup the database

* Squish it into some sort of encrypted file, with a strong password

* Send that off to the tape

Or even just turn on your encryption option for the tape.

That doesn't cover you for everything (is still en clair on the disk in Sql Server's working files), but will do for the stolen backup tape scenario in the article.