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    SSD Encryption options

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Heihachi_1337, May 14, 2015.

  1. Heihachi_1337

    Heihachi_1337 Notebook Deity

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    Hello NBR forums,
    I have some questions regarding SSD encryption. I would like to know if I could use software encryption on an SSD and how bad it would affect performance and wear levels on the drive. The computers these SSD will be installed in will only be in service for a maximum of 4 years before they are replaced. I have seen some discussion about hardware encryption and setting a password in BIOS and I would like to know how effective that is. Wouldn’t the password be easily bypassed if the BIOS was re-flashed?
    My top concern is keeping compliant with the security policies for my company and that is to include: 256-bit AES encryption with strong password. If the drive were to be taken out of the system, information is still encrypted and requires a password. Data on the drive must be recoverable only if correct password is entered, just in case the system itself fails and the data needs to be moved to a new system. This includes the ability to place it in a docking station with the same sort of encryption in order to read the drive and retrieve the data.
    We are currently using Windows 7 Enterprise and Bitlocker is not available, no plans to move to Windows 8 ever. I don’t have much of a choice in the type of SSD I get in the laptops as these are ordered via contract with vendor and the drives are whatever is handy and shipped with the model I order. All I can do is specify size of the drive, warranty, and a few other limited factors. This is why I believe a software solution for encryption is necessary.
    If there are other discussions that have covered this, I would greatly appreciate the links.
    Thanks for your time. ^_^
     
    Heihachi_1337, May 14, 2015
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  2. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    Honestly, I wouldn't worry about the lifespan of the drive at all given techreport's latest SSD endurance data, you'll probably change the laptop long before the SSD gets to the point of excessive wear.

    I'd treat it just like any other drive and encrypt it using whatever method your company sues for HDDs.
     
    tijo, May 20, 2015
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