Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs

Let’s face it: mobile PCs are a virtually irresistible target for thieves.

Time and time again, we are appalled at news of thefts of laptops with incredible amounts of mostly confidential data contained in them.

And we cross ourselves and say ‘Amen’ silently, with relief that we were not the victims.

However, it could happen to us.

Luckily, this issue has been on the minds of the collective in Redmond.

Consequently, they have released the Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs.

The Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs consists of the following four components:

• The Executive Overview. This document provides a broad survey from a business and regulatory perspective of how mobile data is at risk and how the Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs can help. It also provides information about how you can use the guidance and tools in this Solution Accelerator as well as tools you may already have licensed to mitigate these risks.

• The Security Analysis. This guide provides an in-depth review of how EFS and BitLocker can help you address the unique risks associated with data on mobile PCs.

• The Planning and Implementation Guide. This guide describes how to plan for, configure, deploy, and operate EFS and BitLocker in your organization.

• The Microsoft Encrypting File System Assistant. The EFS Assistant is a software tool you can use to centrally control EFS settings on all your PCs (the EFS Assistant also works with desktop PCs). The EFS Assistant can help you encrypt the sensitive files on your users' laptops, regardless of where those files are located. In addition, the EFS Assistant operates transparently to end users, eliminating training issues or other impacts.

The Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs provides tested guidance and powerful tools to help you protect your organization’s most vulnerable data, using easy to understand, and clearly outlined strategies. Furthermore, it also provides instruction designed to make you able to optimize two key encryption technologies already available to you in Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista: the Encrypting File System (EFS) and Microsoft BitLocker Drive Encryption (BitLocker).

• EFS allows you to protect sensitive files so they can only be accessed by authorized users. EFS is included with Windows XP Professional and with most editions of Windows Vista.

• BitLocker encrypts all data on a system volume to prevent unauthorized users from successfully booting the PC with a different operating system or swapping the drive to a different computer to read the data. BitLocker is included with the Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista.

The Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs, designed to be used in a (Windows Server) domain, shows you how to effectively use both EFS and BitLocker across your organization. The Toolkit also provides you with software tools and scripts to help you centrally configure, deploy, and manage encryption settings on all your mobile PCs.

Download here.

• Microsoft
• Network Management
• Security
• Software
• Wireless / Mobile
• Operating Systems
• Windows Server
• Windows Vista
• Windows XP