Educause Security Discussion mailing list archives

Microsoft BitLocker


From: Matt Giannetto <MGiannetto () MC3 EDU>
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:43:46 -0500

We're experiencing a very frustrating issue with Microsoft BitLocker on our Dell Latitude E-Series laptops.  The 
problem is that occasionally and for no discernable reason, the TPM module for the laptop gets disabled in the BIOS.  
This causes the system to prompt for a BitLocker Recovery Key at boot, rendering the system useless until the user 
contacts the help desk.

I'm hoping to compare notes with other institutions that are using TPM with hard drive encryption so we can try to 
isolate a cause for our problem.  For anyone using hard drive encryption (BitLocker or otherwise) with TPM, would you 
mind giving me a little info about your deployment and experiences?

*         What laptop make and model do you use?  Approximately how many are in your environment?

*         What hard drive encryption technology are you using?

*         Have you experienced the problem describe above, where the TPM module of the system is disabled for no 
apparent reason?

*         How long have you had hard drive encryption deployed?

If anyone has any recommendations in troubleshooting this issue, I'm eager to hear it.  Thank you for your time and 
insight.

Thanks,

Matt Giannetto
Director of IT Security
Montgomery County Community College
mgiannetto () mc3 edu<mailto:mgiannetto () mc3 edu> | (215) 619-7442

The Internet is a dangerous place.
Be suspicious.  Be aware.  Think security.
www.mc3.edu/security<http://www.mc3.edu/security>


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