You are here

USB encryption suddenly required

4 posts / 0 new
Last post
Mike_tn
Mike_tn's picture
Offline
Last seen: 11 months 2 weeks ago
Joined: 2012-04-14 10:41
USB encryption suddenly required

I've used Portable Apps from a USB for years at work on 2 or 3 PCs each day. Suddenly my employer requires USB encryption or instead use a shared network drive or Microsoft OneDrive. At some future date, inserted USBs at work will automatically be encrypted if they are not already. Also I'm told the process erases the USB, so I guess that means somehow dumping a backup of the USB back onto the drive after encryption. Please correct me if it isn't that simple. Also will encryption to a USB interfere with Portable App function?

John T. Haller
John T. Haller's picture
Offline
Last seen: 6 hours 17 min ago
AdminDeveloperModeratorTranslator
Joined: 2005-11-28 22:21
Bitlocker?

Did they say how? As a guess, I would think they're going to require USB drives to be encrypted with Bitlocker. Here's a how to: https://tech.wayne.edu/kb/security/computer-device-security/261865

It password protects the entire USB. You'll still be able to use it on other Windows PCs, including Home editions (from what I've read). The encryption process can only be initiated on a Windows Pro/Enterprise device, though. There are 2 different encryption types. The more secure one will only work with Windows 10 Build 1511+ and Windows 11.

The platform and apps work on a Bitlocker encrypted drive.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

Mike_tn
Mike_tn's picture
Offline
Last seen: 11 months 2 weeks ago
Joined: 2012-04-14 10:41
Probably Bitlocker

Yes, it's probably the same method your link to Wayne State shows, that's the only method shown in the knowledge base created by my employer. We'll get a best practices email when encryption is about to be required but I will ask early. We use Windows 10 at work. I have Windows 7 at home. Looks like it will be OK. Thanks for the extra info about the two Bitlocker versions, I will inquire about that as well.

MunemWp
Offline
Last seen: 1 year 3 months ago
Joined: 2019-06-19 03:20
New requirement at work?

Hi there. I have experienced this only today. All of a sudden my Bitlocker enabled SSD (enabled from home PC) is now read-only. It turns out that any portable devices that I connect to my work PC needs to be Bitlocker encrypted by the Company computer instead. Bummer, but I did it anyway. Disabled my bitlocker SSD, re-enabled it but using Company PC instead. Backup the decryption key somewhere safe. Done.

Log in or register to post comments