Since August 2011 new windows laptops will be encrypted by the Computer Center prior to delivery.
The class leading “McAfee Endpoint Encryption” was chosen to encrypt all new Windows laptops going forward as well as older Windows laptops already in use..
In accordance with University policy laptops are encrypted with McAfee Endpoint Encryption as part of the initial setup.
You must be connected to the Maynooth University wired network the first time you try to log on to the device!
This first login attempt will not work across the wireless network.
If you have used a laptop encrypted with McAfee Endpoint before:
If this is your first time to use a laptop encrypted with McAfee Endpoint:
Best Practice:
What does that mean for the laptop users?
We need to ask our laptop users to invest some time to prepare the Windows laptop before the hard disk can be encrypted.
Do all laptops have to be encrypted?
The aim of the project is to encrypt as many Windows laptops as possible. Exceptions to this rule will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
What needs to be done?
The Computer Centre has arranged a program to implement encryption on Maynooth University owned Windows laptops. This program is designed to require as little of the users time as possible.
The user will receive 3 separate emails during the process detailing what s/he will need to do at that point in the process.
When the user receives the first of these emails they will need to:
Check that you are connected to the Maynooth University Wired or Wireless network
In order to implement the encryption, the Windows laptop must be connected either to the wired or wireless Maynooth University network several time during the encryption process.
Fill out an online form
In order to collect information about the machine, the user and their department we require the user to complete an online form which provides us with the information needed to proceed.
Download & Install McAfee software (stage 1)
A piece of software, from the Computer Centre web page, needs to be downloaded and installed. (To accomplish this the user of the laptop needs to have local administrator rights and the computer must be on the Maynooth University wired or wireless network.).
The Windows laptop will be tested for compliance with the encryption software
The laptop will be tested for compliance to see if it meets the technical requirements to start the encryption process.
Once the Computer Centre sees that your machine has passed the compliance test the second email will be sent to the user and s/he will need to:
At this stage we recommend you create a backup
The encryption process, like any other work on a computer, can be a cause of data loss. Therefore we highly recommend our users to create a backup at this stage to minimise the chances of data loss.
Install McAfee software (stage 2)
Attached to the second email will be the installer for a second piece of software. This is the McAfee Endpoint Encryption software which will encrypt the hard disk on your machine. Once it has finished installing your machine will automatically reboot.
Encryption of your laptop will begin in the background
After your laptop has rebooted the encryption of you hard disk will begin automatically in the background. Depending on the age of your laptop and the size of your hard disk, this can take up to about 4 - 5 hours to complete. The user can continue to work on their laptop while the encryption is taking place but they may notice a slowdown in the performance of the machine.
Once the Computer Centre sees that the encryption of the laptop's hard disk has completed, the third and final email will be sent to the user and s/he will see that:
A McAfee encryption logon screen will be enabled automatically at some stage
While the hard disk is encrypting the user will not be asked for any passwords to boot their laptop. Once the encryption has completed the McAfee Endpoint Encryption password screen will be enabled.
The default password and instructions for changing the password will be contained in the third email which will have been sent to the user prior to the changeover.
Encryption process is complete
The process for the encryption of the laptop is now complete.
Note:
Security of data
As long as your data is stored on the successfully encrypted Windows laptop, the data is secure. Files copied off of the hard disk (backup or e-mail attachment) are not encrypted.