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18.10.10.1.5 Ensure 'Choose how BitLocker-protected fixed drives can be recovered: Recovery Key' is set to 'Enabled: Allow 256-bit recovery key' or higher

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Information

This policy setting allows you to control how BitLocker-protected fixed data drives are recovered in the absence of the required credentials. This policy setting is applied when you turn on BitLocker.

In 'Configure user storage of BitLocker recovery information' select whether users are allowed, required, or not allowed to generate a 48-digit recovery password or a 256-bit recovery key.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled: Allow 256-bit recovery key . Configuring this setting to Enabled: Require 256-bit recovery key also conforms to the benchmark.

Administrators should always have a safe, secure way to access encrypted data in the event users cannot access their data.

Additionally, as with any authentication method, a drive can be compromised by guessing or finding the authentication information used to access the drive.

To use BitLocker, a Data Recovery Agent will need to be configured for fixed drives. To recover a drive will require highly-controlled access to the Data Recovery Agent private key.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled: Allow 256-bit recovery key or Enabled: Require 256-bit recovery key :

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Fixed Data Drives\Choose how BitLocker-protected fixed drives can be recovered: Recovery Key

Note: This Group Policy path is provided by the Group Policy template VolumeEncryption.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 7 & Server 2008 R2 Administrative Templates (or newer).

Impact:

A 256-bit recovery key will be permitted for fixed drives.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/25561

Item Details

References: CSCv7|13.6

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 6716ebde0aa37fc68b394e8745bf4a7899b28525f5975ce8db0909ce67b34fe1