OIT News
Intune Configuration Policy Change: BitLocker Required for All Windows Computers
As part of our ongoing commitment to data security, on December 16, 2024, we are requiring the use of BitLocker on all university-owned Windows computers. This measure is crucial for protecting sensitive information and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Timeline and Implementation Process
To ensure a smooth transition, OIT uses Microsoft Intune to enable and manage BitLocker on all eligible devices.
- December 16, 2024-January 21, 2025—OIT will enable BitLocker opt-in notifications. When prompted, you may either opt in or skip for now and enable notifications at a more convenient time.
- January 22, 2025—OIT will enroll any Windows computer that has not opted in.
- January 2024—UT Security Leadership agreed to BitLocker configuration settings.
- February 2024—BitLocker configuration created. Communicated to the project team and constituent groups across the university.
- March-November 2024—Available for implementation with several groups adopting over this period. Currently, over 49% of managed devices are running BitLocker.
- November-December—LAN Managers and other departments were able to schedule implementation.
About BitLocker
BitLocker is a full-disk encryption feature included with Microsoft Windows, designed to protect data by providing encryption for entire volumes. By encrypting the entire drive, BitLocker ensures that unauthorized users cannot access the data stored on it, even if they have physical possession of the computer.
Read more about disk encryption on the OIT Employee Hub.
Key Benefits
- Data Protection: In case a device is lost or stolen, encrypted data remains inaccessible without proper authentication.
- Prevention of Unauthorized Access: Even if someone tries to bypass the operating system by booting from an external drive, they will not be able to access encrypted data.
How to Obtain BitLocker Recovery Keys
BitLocker Recovery Keys are stored securely online. To obtain your recovery keys, follow the instructions outlined in the OIT Knowledge Base or contact the OIT HelpDesk for assistance.