The advantages of file-based encryption are a bit more dramatic than those of FDE. Even if the vault is breached, each box inside maintains its own layer of security that takes dedicated effort to crack. To use another analogy, file-based encryption is similar to a lockbox that’s stored inside a vault at a bank. Each item is encrypted with a unique key, which can sometimes be a good thing or a bad thing. This can be done automatically, but some users prefer to encrypt each file manually to maintain fine-tuned control over their data security. In contrast to FDE, file-based encryption (FBE) encrypts individual files or directories instead of the whole disk. Likewise, full disk encryption only offers broad audit logs, meaning it’s impossible to review activity or potential threats on a granular level using full disk encryption alone. It also means backup practices are more cumbersome since the entire disk needs to be backed up at once instead of being able to prioritize which files or directories are most important.įDE also does not encrypt anything deeper than the disk level-this means metadata, file structures, and the content within the files themselves are readily accessible to any valid user. Especially when this is combined with the all-or-nothing approach to encryption, full disk encryption offers minimal compliance with various security standards like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR. And as we’ve already established, FDE is unreliable if the whole system is physically compromised. For one, the data is only protected for as long as it’s on the disk. Of course, there are some downsides to full disk encryption as well. Full disk encryption also has minimal impact on ongoing performance once the disk is initially impacted. It doesn’t differentiate between sensitive information and non-sensitive information, so everything is automatically encrypted by default. It favors a set-it-and-forget-it maintenance model, meaning once the encryption is configured, there is relatively little that needs to be done to maintain it.įDE also eliminates any human error when it comes to whether something on a disk is encrypted or not. First and foremost, it’s simple to deploy. Advantages of full disk encryptionĪlthough full disk encryption (FDE) is not a holistic approach to security, there are some key benefits it can offer. Of course, it’s a good idea to lock your front door so intruders aren’t able to get inside easily, but they will inevitably have free range across the whole house if they are somehow able to gain access. To use an analogy, full disk encryption functions somewhat like locking exterior doors to your house without locking any of the interior rooms. This means attackers can gain access to everything if the system is compromised. It uses the same encryption key for the whole disk, which is immediately decrypted as soon as the device is accessed with valid user credentials. It provides automatic encryption when data is being written to or read from a disk, but it does not encrypt anything at the file level. What is full disk encryption?Īs the name suggests, full disk encryption (FDE) is encryption at the disk level. Let’s get a better understanding of full disk encryption, file-based encryption, and the benefits and drawbacks of each to illustrate why both are important for 360° security. For this reason, it’s important to consider adding a file-based approach to your current encryption practice. Some form of encryption is obviously better than none at all, but you may have a false sense of security if you’re exclusively using full disk encryption to protect your data. Fortunately, some encryption vendors offer multiple types of encryption. File-based encryption is another form of transparent encryption that fills in the gaps where full disk encryption falls short. Learn More.įull disk encryption is the most commonly used encryption strategy in practice today for data at rest, but does that mean it’s sufficient to prevent unauthorized access to your data? The short answer: No. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. ESecurity Planet content and product recommendations are editorially independent.
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