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Full Disk Encryption

What is Full Disk Encryption?

A security measure that encrypts all data on a storage device, including the operating system, so that data is inaccessible without proper authentication.

Information Security

Terms that appear alongside full disk encryption

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as full disk encryption. The number is how many controls name both.

Frameworks that govern full disk encryption

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

What the standards actually require on full disk encryption

Requirements naming full disk encryption across 3 standards, quoted from the control text.

Australian Information Security Manual1 control

Full disk encryption, or partial encryption where access controls will only allow writing to the encrypted partition, is implemented when encrypting data at rest.

ISM-0459 · Full disk encryption, or partial encryption where access controls will only allow writing →
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 - ensures that the data content cannot be understood by unauthorized entities.

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 5.3 cryptography including: encryption of data at rest (AES-256 + FIPS 140-3 validated modules + full disk encryption + file-level encryption + database encryption) + data in transit (TLS 1.3 + IPsec + SSH 2.0 + S/MIME + PGP) + key management per...

NISTSP123-4 · Server Cryptography - Encryption, Key Management, Certificates →

Questions people ask about full disk encryption

What is Full Disk Encryption?
A security measure that encrypts all data on a storage device, including the operating system, so that data is inaccessible without proper authentication.
Why is Full Disk Encryption important for compliance?
Full Disk Encryption is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding full disk encryption helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Full Disk Encryption?
Full Disk Encryption appears in the requirement text of Australian Information Security Manual, ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications, NIST SP 800-123. Across these standards we have identified 3 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Full Disk Encryption?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how full disk encryption 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 686 frameworks.

See how Full Disk Encryption applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K 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.