What Features does Active Directory Provide When Integrated with BitLocker?

The integration of BitLocker with Active Directory provides robust protection for data, and simplify the BitLocker encryption management task, enhance the convenience for enterprises which requires large-scale deployment and maintenance of encrypted devices.

By managing BitLocker policies and configurations through Active Directory, it can achieve centralized management of computer BitLocker encryption information. After enabling Active Directory BitLocker Management, it primarily offers the following key functions:

Function 1: BitLocker Recovery Key Management

Optional place to save keys: When configuring BitLocker, you can choose to save the recovery password to a safe location, including Active Directory. After backing up BitLocker recovery key to AD, the admin is able to find BitLocker recovery key in Active Directory.

Automatic BitLocker key AD backup: Through updating the Group Policy settings in Active Directory can realize automatically backing up BitLocker recovery keys to AD, which ensures all data on the devices is protected.

This function ensures to search for the BitLocker key from the AD when needed, to quickly unlock the encrypted drive.

Function 2: Active Directory Group Policy Management

The Group Policy Objects (GPO) in Active Directory can centrally manage the BitLocker settings and configurations. Admins can define encryption requirements, recovery key access permissions, and so on.

For example, following steps if to delegate BitLocker Password view permission control for users in need:

Step 1 Create a Security Group in AD.

Step 2 Right-click on the OU, choose "Delegate Control" from the context menu.

Step 3 Click on the Add button to add the group to the selected users and groups.

Step 4 Select "Create a custom task to delegate", click on "next".

Step 5 Choose "Only the following objects in the folder", then tick "msFVE-RecoveryInformation objects".

Step 6 Then select "General" permissions, delegate "Read" and "Read All Properties". Click "Next".

Step 7 Click on "Finish" button. The users in security group can view all the recovery keys now.

Notes: Admins can use policy settings to enforce all devices to use BitLocker encryption, ensuring data is secure during storage and transmission.

Function 3: Monitor Device Encryption Status with Reporting and Auditing

By enabling BitLocker Active Directory, administrators can easily obtain reports and audit information regarding device encryption status. This includes which devices are encrypted, which devices need encryption, and the access history of BitLocker keys.

Note: If you change the BitLocker recovery password and store the new password in AD DS, the AD DS wouldn't overwrite the old password. You can check the date to confirm the latest BitLocker password.

Function 4: AD BitLocker Key Recovery

With BitLocker integrated with AD, you can automatically unlock encrypted drives using AD recovery accounts. This feature is particularly useful for remote users or situations when forgetting the BitLocker recovery passwords.