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Bitlocker

What is Bitlocker?

A full disk encryption feature included with Microsoft Windows that protects data by encrypting the entire operating system drive.

Information Security

Frameworks that govern bitlocker

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5View framework →

What the standards actually require on bitlocker

Requirements naming bitlocker across 4 standards, quoted from the control text.

CIS Controls v81 control

Encrypt the data held on end-user devices that store sensitive data. Examples of how to do this include Windows BitLocker, Apple FileVault and Linux dm-crypt.

CIS-3.6 · Encrypt Data on End-User Devices →
CIS Controls v8.11 control

Encrypt data held on end-user devices that store sensitive data, for example with BitLocker, FileVault or dm-crypt. Implementation Groups: IG1, IG2 and IG3 (part of the IG1 essential cyber hygiene baseline, so every enterprise applies it). Asset type: Data.

cis-controls-v8-1::3.6 · Encrypt Data on End-User Devices →
ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications1 control

Security Dimensions 4 and 5 per X.805 Clauses 6.4 and 6.5 are closely related: (1) Data Confidentiality (Dim 4) protects data from unauthorized disclosure - so that anyone without authorization is unable to make sense of the content.

X805-Dim4-5-Data-Confidentiality-Communication-Security-Encryption-Information-Flow-Protection · ITU-T X.805 Security Dimensions 4-5 - Data Confidentiality + Communication Security + Encryption At-Rest + In-Transit + In-Use + Information Flow Protection + Steered Communication + Anti-Tap + Anti-Eavesdrop + Post-Quantum Cryptography →
NIST SP 800-1231 control

Apply Section 3 secure installation including: server selection per organizational requirements + OS hardening per CIS Benchmarks + DISA STIGs + NSA SecGuide + vendor security guides (Microsoft + Red Hat + SUSE + Ubuntu + macOS) + remove unnecessary services +...

NISTSP123-2 · Secure Server Installation and Configuration →

Questions people ask about bitlocker

What is Bitlocker?
A full disk encryption feature included with Microsoft Windows that protects data by encrypting the entire operating system drive.
Why is Bitlocker important for compliance?
Bitlocker is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding bitlocker helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Bitlocker?
Bitlocker appears in the requirement text of CIS Controls v8, CIS Controls v8.1, ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications, NIST SP 800-123. Across these standards we have identified 4 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Bitlocker?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how bitlocker applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 1,016 frameworks.

See how Bitlocker applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.