Implementing Disk Encryption with BitLocker

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Encrypting Windows endpoints to protect data at rest for compliance (PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR)
• Deploying BitLocker across enterprise fleet via Intune, SCCM, or GPO
• Configuring TPM-based encryption with PIN or USB startup key for enhanced security
• Managing BitLocker recovery keys in Active Directory or Azure AD

Do not use this skill for Linux disk encryption (use LUKS/dm-crypt) or macOS (use FileVault).

Prerequisites

• Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition
• TPM 2.0 chip (recommended; TPM 1.2 supported with limitations)
• UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled (recommended)
• Separate system partition (200 MB minimum, created automatically by Windows installer)
• Active Directory or Azure AD for recovery key escrow

Workflow

Step 1: Verify TPM and System Requirements

# Check TPM status
Get-Tpm
# ManufacturerId, ManufacturerVersion, TpmPresent, TpmReady, TpmEnabled

# Check TPM version (2.0 required for best compatibility)
(Get-WmiObject -Namespace "root\cimv2\security\microsofttpm" -Class Win32_Tpm).SpecVersion

# Check UEFI/Secure Boot
Confirm-SecureBootUEFI
# Returns True if Secure Boot is enabled

# Check BitLocker readiness
$vol = Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint "C:"
$vol.VolumeStatus  # Should be "FullyDecrypted"
$vol.ProtectionStatus  # Should be "Off"

Step 2: Configure BitLocker GPO Settings

Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → BitLocker Drive Encryption

Operating System Drives:
  - Require additional authentication at startup: Enabled
    - Allow BitLocker without compatible TPM: Disabled (enforce TPM)
    - Configure TPM startup: Allow TPM
    - Configure TPM startup PIN: Allow startup PIN with TPM
    - Configure TPM startup key: Allow startup key with TPM

  - Choose how BitLocker-protected OS drives can be recovered: Enabled
    - Allow data recovery agent: True
    - Configure storage of recovery information to AD DS: Enabled
    - Save recovery info to AD DS for OS drives: Store recovery passwords and key packages
    - Do not enable BitLocker until recovery information is stored: Enabled

  - Choose drive encryption method and cipher strength:
    - OS drives: XTS-AES 256-bit (Windows 10 1511+)
    - Fixed drives: XTS-AES 256-bit
    - Removable drives: AES-CBC 256-bit (for cross-platform compatibility)

Fixed Data Drives:
  - Choose how BitLocker-protected fixed drives can be recovered: Enabled
    - Store recovery passwords in AD DS: Enabled

Removable Data Drives:
  - Control use of BitLocker on removable drives: Enabled
  - Configure use of passwords for removable drives: Require complexity

Step 3: Enable BitLocker - Command Line

# Enable BitLocker with TPM-only protector (transparent to user)
Enable-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:" -EncryptionMethod XtsAes256 `
  -TpmProtector -SkipHardwareTest

# Enable BitLocker with TPM + PIN (recommended for laptops)
$pin = ConvertTo-SecureString "123456" -AsPlainText -Force
Enable-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:" -EncryptionMethod XtsAes256 `
  -TpmAndPinProtector -Pin $pin

# Add recovery password protector
Add-BitLockerKeyProtector -MountPoint "C:" -RecoveryPasswordProtector

# Backup recovery key to Active Directory
Backup-BitLockerKeyProtector -MountPoint "C:" `
  -KeyProtectorId (Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint "C:").KeyProtector[1].KeyProtectorId

# Encrypt fixed data drives
Enable-BitLocker -MountPoint "D:" -EncryptionMethod XtsAes256 `
  -RecoveryPasswordProtector -AutoUnlockEnabled

Step 4: Deploy via Intune (Enterprise)

Intune → Endpoint Security → Disk encryption → Create Profile

Platform: Windows 10 and later
Profile: BitLocker

Settings:
  BitLocker base settings:
    - Encryption for operating system drives: Require
    - Encryption for fixed data drives: Require
    - Encryption for removable data drives: Require

  Operating system drive settings:
    - Additional authentication at startup: Require
    - TPM startup: Allowed
    - TPM startup PIN: Required (for high-security endpoints)
    - Encryption method: XTS-AES 256-bit
    - Recovery: Escrow to Azure AD

  Fixed drive settings:
    - Encryption method: XTS-AES 256-bit
    - Recovery: Escrow to Azure AD

  Assign to: All managed Windows devices (or specific groups)

Step 5: Manage Recovery Keys

# View recovery key on local system

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