U.S. Gov't To Use Full Disk Encryption On All Computers

To address the issue of data leaks of the kind we've seen so often in the last year because of stolen or missing laptops, writes Saqib Ali, the Feds are planning to use Full Disk Encryption (FDE) on all Government-owned computers. "On June 23, 2006 a Presidential Mandate was put in place requiring all agency laptops to fully encrypt data on the HDD. The U.S. Government is currently conducting the largest single side-by-side comparison and competition for the selection of a Full Disk Encryption product. The selected product will be deployed on Millions of computers in the U.S. federal government space. This implementation will end up being the largest single implementation ever, and all of the information regarding the competition is in the public domain. The evaluation will come to an end in 90 days. You can view all the vendors competing and list of requirements."

But why?

[timeOday]

I mean, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear, right?

Don't lose your pass-key

[G27 Radio]

In order to prevent the loss of pass-keys to these machines (and the resulting loss of important information,) users will be required to keep a copy of the pass-key taped to the bottom of their computers.

Sid by side competition?

[MrTester]

Let me guess. The contract goes too....

Halliburtons new encryption subsidary.

Founded in 2006 by some guy who read a book on encryption.

Hey, Government!

[Rob T Firefly]

You've got to check out my hot new encryption scheme, I call it Rotational Oscillating Telecode no. 13. [wikipedia.org] Fill your tubes with this stuff and I personally guarantee it foolproof against criminals and terrorists and journalists in every single test performed in my personal data-protection laboratory (my basement) with highly alert and cunning test subjects (my cats.)

Bidding starts at $47 Million.

Re:Doomed to software failures...

[meringuoid]

There have been several major computer projects that started as Government mandates. Few have produced significant results...

That reminds me, whatever became of that ARPANET thing they were all talking about way back?

Re:Don't lose your pass-key

[trb]

LogOn! Apply directly to forehead!

000000?

[sribe]

Sooo, I wonder if the encryption keys will be set like ICBM launch codes, all at "000000"???

Re:But if users don't run as Administrators

[really?]

Of course it is. But I always log in as root, 'cause if I don't the system always bitches about "Only root can do that." Never used to have this problem in Windows. :-)