Full Disk Encryption Overview

Full Disk Encryption Overview

• Full Disk Encryption (FDE) secures data on hard drives, making it inaccessible without the encryption password or key, thereby rendering stolen data meaningless.
• FDE is crucial for mobile devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets but is also recommended for desktops and servers to enhance data security.

Confidentiality and Integrity

• FDE provides both confidentiality and integrity, protecting data against unauthorized access and preventing malicious alterations.
• Physical access to an encrypted disk does not allow an attacker to replace system files or install malware without the necessary decryption key.

Boot Process and Security

• Systems with FDE must maintain critical boot files accessible for the boot process to begin, requiring an unencrypted partition on the disk.
• These essential files include the kernel and bootloader, making them prime targets for attackers.

Vulnerabilities and Protection Measures

• Required files for FDE are vulnerable to modification by attackers with physical access, necessitating robust protection mechanisms.
• Secure Boot employs public key cryptography to ensure that only trusted, signed boot files are executed during the boot process.

Secure Boot Implementation

• Secure Boot is set up using a platform key that corresponds to the private key signing the boot files, enhancing security.
• This platform key is stored in firmware and verifies boot files, preventing execution of untrusted software.

Solutions and Vendors

• Major first-party FDE solutions include Microsoft’s BitLocker and Apple’s FileVault 2, enhancing built-in security features.
• Numerous third-party and open-source options are available, such as the Linux dm-crypt package and products from TrueCrypt, VeraCrypt, and PGP.

FDE Process Details

• Full disk encryption relies on a secret encryption key for data protection, typically secured by a password.
• In some frameworks, a user key derived from the encryption key encrypts the master key, improving flexibility without full decryption.
• Changing the encryption key can be managed by swapping out the user key, making the process efficient.

Password Management and Recovery

• Password protection secures the master encryption key, requiring a user passphrase to gain access to encrypted contents.
• Forgetting the passphrase renders the disk's contents irretrievable, emphasizing the importance of managing password recovery strategies.

Enterprise Solutions

• Enterprise-level FDE solutions often feature key escrow capabilities, allowing secure storage of encryption keys for recovery purposes.