You remember sitting your laptop right there. You only turned your back for a second! Now the computer has disappeared and the data on it is at risk. Physical security will always present a challenge to information security. It is important the university’s data be protected when these mishaps occur.
The loss or theft of unencrypted endpoint computers that contain sensitive data results in a high risk of the data being compromised, leading to an expensive breach notification. Whole Disk Encryption (WDE) solutions prevent the unauthorized disclosure of data on endpoint computers in the event the device is lost or stolen. It works by encrypting a system's entire hard drive including the operating system and all applications and data stored on it.
The use of whole disk encryption allows the university to ensure that sensitive data residing on endpoint computers is protected against unauthorized access. In the event that an encrypted computer is lost or stolen, the risk of unauthorized access to that data is greatly reduced. This provides the university with substantial cost savings over time, as well as helping to improve its reputation for protecting its constituents’ personal data.
Whole disk encryption is a technology which protects information by converting it into unreadable code that cannot be deciphered easily by unauthorized people.
Whole disk encryption works by encrypting a system's entire hard drive including the operating system and all applications and data stored on it. Authorized users will have and maintain a key (password) that allows access to files and data.
South Carolina state policy requires whole disk encryption on computers that store sensitive data. To protect user privacy and non-sensitive university data, the solution is recommended for all others.
Contact your local security liaison, system administrator, or SA contact if you believe you require whole disk encryption of your computer. Installation priority will be given to those devices that store sensitive data.
The SecureDoc by Winmagic Whole Disk Encryption (WDE) solution allows system administrators
to protect sensitive data on university-owned Windows, Mac, and Linux endpoint computers
and USB drives.
At this time, DoIT is only supporting Windows applications.