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Search Search CSRC MENU Search Search Projects Publications Expand or Collapse Drafts for Public Comment All Public Drafts Final Pubs FIPS (standards) Special Publications (SP s ) IR (interagency/internal reports) CSWP (cybersecurity white papers) ITL Bulletins Project Descriptions Journal Articles Conference Papers Books Topics Expand or Collapse Security & Privacy Applications Technologies Sectors Laws & Regulations Activities & Products News & Updates Events Glossary About CSRC Expand or Collapse Computer Security Division Cryptographic Technology Software Security Group Hardware Security Group Security Engineering and Risk Management Applied Cybersecurity Division Cybersecurity and Privacy Applications National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Contact Us Information Technology Laboratory Computer Security Resource Center Publications NIST SP 800-111 Guide to Storage Encryption Technologies for End User Devices Share to Facebook Share to X Share to LinkedIn Share ia Email Documentation Topics Date Published: November 2007 Author(s) Karen Scarfone (NIST) , Murugiah Souppaya (NIST) , Matthew Sexton (BAH) Abstract Many threats against end user devices, such as desktop and laptop computers, smart phones, personal digital assistants, and removable media, could cause information stored on the devices to be accessed by unauthorized parties. To prevent such disclosures of information, the information needs to be secured. This publication explains the basics of storage encryption, which is the process of using encryption and authentication to restrict access to and use of stored information. The appropriate storage encryption solution for a particular situation depends primarily upon the type of storage, the amount of information that needs to be protected, the environments where the storage will be located, and the threats that need to be mitigated. This publication describes three types of solutions—full disk encryption, volume and virtual disk encryption, and file/folder encryption—and makes recommendations for implementing and using each type. This publication also includes several use case examples, which illustrate that there are multiple ways to meet most storage encryption needs. Many threats against end user devices, such as desktop and laptop computers, smart phones, personal digital assistants, and removable media, could cause information stored on the devices to be accessed by unauthorized parties. To prevent such disclosures of information, the information needs to be... See full abstract Many threats against end user devices, such as desktop and laptop computers, smart phones, personal digital assistants, and removable media, could cause information stored on the devices to be accessed by unauthorized parties. To prevent such disclosures of information, the information needs to be secured. This publication explains the basics of storage encryption, which is the process of using encryption and authentication to restrict access to and use of stored information. The appropriate storage encryption solution for a particular situation depends primarily upon the type of storage, the amount of information that needs to be protected, the environments where the storage will be located, and the threats that need to be mitigated. This publication describes three types of solutions—full disk encryption, volume and virtual disk encryption, and file/folder encryption—and makes recommendations for implementing and using each type. This publication also includes several use case examples, which illustrate that there are multiple ways to meet most storage encryption needs. Hide full abstract Keywords Computer security ; mobile device security ; removable media security ; storage encryption ; storage security Control Families Configuration Management ; Media Protection ; System and Communications Protection ; System and Information Integrity Documentation Publication: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-111 Download URL Supplemental Material: None available Document History: 11/15/07: SP 800-111 (Final) Topics Security and Privacy cryptography , general security & privacy Laws and Regulations Federal Information Security Modernization Act , Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act , OMB Circular A-130 HEADQUARTERS 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899 X (link is external) facebook (link is external) linkedin (link is external) instagram (link is external) youtube (link is external) rss govdelivery (link is external) Want updates about CSRC and our publications? 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