Protecting Your Data From Theft and Loss
In today's world, protecting the data stored on your devices is just as important as protecting your network.
Full disk encryption ensures that even if your computer or smartphone falls into the wrong hands, your sensitive information remains inaccessible.
Learn why encryption matters, how it works, and how to secure your digital life.
What is drive encryption (full disk encryption)?
Drive encryption, or full disk encryption (FDE), is a security process that automatically scrambles all the data on a hard drive into unreadable code. Without the correct password or encryption key, the data remains locked and unusable, even if someone steals the device.
Why is it important to encrypt my hard drive?
- If your laptop or phone is lost or stolen, encryption ensures no one can access your files.
- Encryption protects sensitive business documents, personal photos, financial information, and more.
- Many compliance standards (HIPAA, FTC Safeguards, GDPR) require encryption of sensitive data.
- Encryption minimizes the damage caused by physical device theft.
- Without encryption, a stolen device is like handing over your entire digital life.
How do I encrypt the data on my computer or smartphone?
How do I encrypt the data on my computer or smartphone?
- Windows: Use BitLocker (Pro editions) or device encryption (Home editions).
- Mac: Use FileVault, found in Security & Privacy settings.
- iPhone: Encryption is enabled by default when you set a passcode.
- Android: Most modern Android devices have automatic encryption enabled, but always verify in settings.
Make sure you:
- Use strong device passwords
- Save your recovery keys securely (but not on the same device)
- Result: Even service employees cannot access your data.
Does encrypting my drive slow down my computer?
Modern computers are designed to handle encryption efficiently. In most cases, you won’t notice any performance impact. On older machines without hardware acceleration for encryption, there may be minor slowdowns, but the security benefits far outweigh them.
What happens if I forget my drive encryption password or recovery key?
If you lose your encryption password and don't have a recovery key, your data is permanently inaccessible. Encryption is designed to be unbreakable without proper authentication.
Best practices:
- Keep multiple secure backups of your recovery keys (offline and in a secure cloud storage).
- Never store your recovery key on the same device that’s encrypted.
Do I need to encrypt external drives and USB flash drives as well?
Absolutely. External drives and USB sticks are easy to lose or steal. Encrypting them ensures that if they go missing, your data stays protected
- Windows: Use BitLocker To Go
- Mac: Right-click external drive > Encrypt
- Third-party tools: VeraCrypt or similar software for cross-platform compatibility
- Android: Most modern Android devices have automatic encryption enabled, but always verify in settings.
Is built-in encryption (like BitLocker or FileVault) safe to use?
Yes. BitLocker and FileVault are industry-standard encryption solutions used by governments, corporations, and security professionals. When properly configured with strong passwords and TPM (Trusted Platform Module) hardware, they offer excellent protection for most users.
Can I encrypt specific files or folders instead of the whole drive?
Yes, but it’s generally less secure than encrypting the entire drive. Selective encryption can leave metadata or other sensitive files exposed.
If full disk encryption isn’t possible:
- Use strong encrypted containers (e.g., VeraCrypt volumes)
- Use cloud storage services that offer zero-knowledge encryption
However, full disk encryption remains the gold standard for total device protection.
How Bellator Cyber Helps Protect You
Bellator Cyber ensures your devices are protected with full drive encryption as part of a complete modern cybersecurity package, including Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) to prevent theft, ransomware, and data breaches before they happen.
Ready to Secure Your Devices and Data?
Protect your information at the device level with Bellator Cyber.
