User's Manual

Self-Encrypting Drive
Dell Data Protection | Access manages the hardware-based security functions of self-
encrypting drives, which have data encryption embedded in the drive hardware. This functionality
is used to ensure that only authorized users can access encrypted data (when drive locking is
enabled).
The Self-Encrypting Drive window is accessed by clicking the Self-Encrypting Drive bottom tab.
This tab displays only when one or more self-encrypting drives (SEDs) are present on your
system.
Click the Setup link to begin the Self-Encrypting Drive setup wizard. In this wizard, you will create
a Drive Administrator password, back up this password, and apply your drive encryption settings.
Only system administrators can access the Self-Encrypting Drive setup wizard.
Important! Once the drive has been set up, data protection and drive locking are "enabled".
When a drive is locked, the following behavior applies:
 The drive enters into locked mode whenever power to the drive is turned off.
 The drive will not boot unless the user enters the correct username and password (or
fingerprint) at the Pre-Windows login screen. Before drive locking is enabled, the data on
the drive is accessible to any user on the computer.
 The drive is secured even if plugged into another computer as a secondary drive;
authentication is required to access the drive data.
Once the drive has been set up, the Self-Encrypting Drive window will display the drive(s) and a
link for users to change their drive password. If you are a drive administrator, you will also be able
to add or remove drive users from this window. If there is an external drive that has been set up, it
will display on this window and can be unlocked.
NOTE: To lock a secondary, external drive, the drive must be powered off independently from
the computer.
The drive administrator can manage the drive settings in Advanced>Devices. For more
information, see Device Management - Self-Encrypting Drives.
Drive Setup
The Self-Encrypting Drive setup wizard will guide you through setting up your drive(s). The
following concepts are important to keep in mind when going through this process.
Drive Administrator
The first user with system administrator rights who sets up drive access (and sets the Drive
Administrator password) becomes the Drive Administrator; this is the only user with rights to
make changes to drive access. To ensure that the first user is intentionally being set up as the
drive administrator, you must select the "I understand" checkbox to continue with this step.
Drive Administrator Password
The wizard will prompt you to create a Drive Administrator password and to re-enter the
password as a confirmation. You must enter your Windows password to establish your identity
before you can create your Drive Administrator password. The current Windows user must have
administrator rights to create this password.
Backup Drive Credentials
Type in a location, or click the Browse button to select a location, to save a backup copy of your
drive administrator credentials.