18.9.11.1.11 Ensure 'Configure use of hardware-based encryption for fixed data drives: Use BitLocker software-based encryption when hardware encryption is not available' is set to 'Enabled: True'
Warning! Audit Deprecated
This audit has been deprecated and will be removed in a future update.
This policy setting allows you to manage BitLocker's use of hardware-based encryption on fixed data drives and specify which encryption algorithms it can use with hardware-based encryption. Using hardware-based encryption can improve performance of drive operations that involve frequent reading or writing of data to the drive. If hardware-based encryption is not available BitLocker software-based encryption will be used instead. The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled: True (checked). Rationale: From a strict security perspective the hardware-based encryption may offer the same, greater, or less protection than what is provided by BitLocker's software-based encryption depending on how the algorithms and key lengths compare.
Solution
To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled: True (checked): Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Fixed Data Drives\Configure use of hardware-based encryption for fixed data drives: Use BitLocker software-based encryption when hardware encryption is not available Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template VolumeEncryption.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 8.0 & Server 2012 (non-R2) Administrative Templates (or newer). Impact: None - this is the default behavior. Default Value: If hardware-based encryption is not available on fixed drives, BitLocker software-based encryption will be used instead.