Encryption
Disk encryption is software or hardware that protects data on a computer by converting it into code that cannot be deciphered easily by unauthorized people, preventing unapproved access to data on the computer.
If a computer is lost or stolen, the data inside is inaccessible without the Brandeis username and password of the faculty or staff member who was issued the computer.
How Does Encryption Work?
Think of encryption as a lock on the front door; a key is required to enter, but once inside, you have free access to to the entire building. At Brandeis, Windows computers are encrypted with Bitlocker and Macintosh computers are encrypted with FileVault software.
How Do I Get Started With Encryption?
Before your computer can be encrypted, ITS staff will visit to set up CrashPlan backup software, as well as security software: Symantec Endpoint Protection, Malwarebytes (for Windows computers only), and Identity Finder. About a week later when the CrashPlan backup is complete, ITS staff will ask you to reboot your computer and leave it turned on at the end of the day to undergo overnight encryption. (If you use a Mac, after you reboot at the end of the day, you will see a prompt that will ask you to Enable FileVault now to continue. Once you click "Enable now" the computer will reboot and begin encryption.) If it is a laptop, please be sure to plug it in so it doesn’t run out of power during encryption. That's it!