Encryption is key to making sure that your data is protected. The encryption process can vary between systems and devices so we’re going to break it down one at a time for you, starting with with Windows 10 and Bitlocker.
BitLocker is Microsoft’s proprietary disk encryption software for Windows 10 and following these eight steps will make sure your data is safe and protected:
- Locate the hard drive you want to encrypt under “This PC” in Windows Explorer.
- Right-click the target drive and choose “Turn on BitLocker.”
- Choose “Enter a Password.”
- Enter a secure password.
- Choose “How to Enable Your Recovery Key” which you’ll use to access your drive if you lose your password. You can print it, save it as a file to your hard drive, save it as a file to a USB drive, or save the key to your Microsoft account.
- Choose “Encrypt Entire Drive,” which is the more-secure option that encrypts files that have been marked for deletion but haven’t yet been overwritten.
- Unless you need your drive to be compatible with older Windows machines, choose “New Encryption Mode.”
- Click “Start Encrypting” to begin the encryption process. Note that this will require a computer restart if you’re encrypting your boot drive. The encryption will take some time, but it will run in the background, and you’ll still be able to use your computer while it runs.
This blog is meant to provide a starting point to implementing cyber security practices within your company. Due to the rapid progression of technology this is an ongoing and ever-evolving subject!