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What is BitLocker?
BitLocker is an encryption feature in Windows. It encrypts the entire volume to keep your data safe. CSCC employee PCs are to be encrypted.
Most computers are already encrypted, and you can quickly verify by looking at the icon for the Operating System (OS) disk in File Explorer while you are logged in. If your device is already encrypted, the icon will have a padlock, as shown in the example below:
| BitLocker is enabled |
BitLocker is not enabled |
 |
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Enable BitLocker
If an employee computer does not have BitLocker enabled, an automated process will identify and prompt users to encrypt the OS disk. That prompt will look like this:
Before starting encryption, ensure that the computer is plugged into a power source. To begin the encryption process, click the Start button. You will then see a progress bar indicating the status of disk encryption:
You can continue working while the disk is being encrypted. This process does not require that you restart your computer. If the progress window is closed, it can be accessed by clicking on the Bitlocker tray icon (located in the lower right corner near the clock):
You will be notified when encryption is completed and no further action is required: