18.9.11.3.11 Ensure 'Use BL software-based encryption when hardware encryption is not available' is set to 'Enabled: True'

Information

18.9.11.3.11 Ensure 'Configure use of hardware-based encryption for removable data drives: Use BitLocker software-based encryption when hardware encryption is not available' is set to 'Enabled: True'
This policy setting allows you to manage BitLocker's use of hardware-based encryption on removable data drives and specify which encryption algorithms it can use with hardware-based encryption. Using hardware-based encryption can improve performance of drive operations that involve frequent reading or writing of data to the drive.

If hardware-based encryption is not available BitLocker software-based encryption will be used instead.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled: True (checked).

Rationale:

From a strict security perspective the hardware-based encryption may offer the same, greater, or less protection than what is provided by BitLocker's software-based encryption depending on how the algorithms and key lengths compare.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled: True (checked):

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Removable Data Drives\Configure use of hardware-based encryption for removable data drives: Use BitLocker software-based encryption when hardware encryption is not available

Impact:

None - this is the default configuration.

Default Value:

If hardware-based encryption is not available on removable drives, BitLocker software-based encryption will be used instead.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2093