How To: Encryption Guide for Storage Devices, USBs
With a focus on increasing security of our data and systems, we now require that all external storage devices that plug into your computer be encrypted. Usually, this will be a USB, also called a thumb drive, or a storage device like an external storage drive.
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Step 1:
Upon inserting the storage device, you will be presented with 2 options.
If you do not encrypt the storage device, it will be read only. You will have the ability to open the device and view files, but will not have the ability to save files from the storage device to your computer. This is the end of the process.
If you choose to encrypt the storage device, go to Step 2.
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Step 2:
Choosing “Encrypt this device using Bitlocker drive Encryption,” kicks off the encryption process. You will need to set a password/recovery key that you retain for the life of the storage device.
In the future, this password will be needed each time the device is plugged into any device including non-UMGC computers.
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Step 3:
Choose how to unlock the storage device; click on “Use a password to unlock the drive.”
To protect end user confidentiality, UMGC does not have access to these passwords. After the password is set, it is up to you to save the password/recovery key.
You need to retain the password to your storage device for all future use. It is recommended that you use a password keeper, as the storage device cannot be unlocked without your personal password.
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Step 4:
Select the first option for Choose how much of your drive to encrypt: “Encrypt used disk space only (faster and best for New PCs and drives).”
The drive will start the encryption process and you will see a status bar until the process is complete.
Although you will be presented with the option of saving the password/recovery key, please note that UMGC will not have access to these recovery keys in case the password is lost or forgotten. It is your responsibility to save this recovery key for future use.
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Step 5:
Once the encryption is complete, you will need to answer, “How do you want to back up your recovery key?”
- “Save to a file” option will save the password/recovery key locally on your computer
- ”Print the recovery key” is the best option if you are using a shared machine; retain the recovery key/password for future uses of the storage device