BitLocker Drive Encryption is a new technology introduced into the high-end editions of Microsoft's latest operating system. Windows Vista Enterprise, the platform accessible exclusively to the company's Software Assurance customers via volume licensing, and Windows Vista Ultimate are the two examples of Vista that feature BitLocker Drive Encryption. According to Microsoft, the technology was implemented as a response to customer feedback over the increasing need to secure sensitive data. Following the integration into Vista, BitLocker Drive Encryption is also featured into Windows Server 2008, formerly codenamed Longhorn.

"BitLocker is a data protection feature available in Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate for client computers, and in Windows Server 2008. BitLocker addresses the threats of data theft and of exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately decommissioned personal computers by providing a closely integrated solution in Windows Vista," Microsoft revealed.

The Redmond company made available for download the Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Design and Deployment Guides, a resource delivering two guidelines designed to streamline the deployment of the technology. In this manner, Microsoft supports its corporate customers offering the Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Design Guide and the Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Deployment Guide.

Both guides will provide corporate users with details on how to manage the planning and deployment of BitLocker Drive Encryption but also on how to prepare Windows Vista for the technology. Microsoft warned of the fact that knowledge of Trusted Platform Module, Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) schema extension and Group Policy is a must.

"Data on a lost or stolen computer is vulnerable to unauthorized access, either by running a software attack tool against it or by transferring the computer's hard disk to a different computer. BitLocker helps mitigate unauthorized data access by enhancing Windows Vista file and system protections. BitLocker also helps render data inaccessible when BitLocker-protected computers are decommissioned or recycled," Microsoft added.