When it comes to protecting sensitive information, encryption is a critical tool in your cybersecurity arsenal. While antivirus and firewalls help keep external threats at bay, encryption ensures that even if someone gains access to your systems or devices, they won’t be able to read or use your data without the proper decryption keys.

What is Encryption?

Encryption is the process of converting readable data into a scrambled, unreadable format. When a hard drive is encrypted, all of the data stored on that drive is protected, making it nearly impossible for unauthorized users to access it without the proper decryption key. This is particularly important for laptops and servers that store sensitive information—if they’re lost or stolen, encryption ensures that the data remains secure.

Why Computers and Servers Need Encryption

Here are a few key reasons why encryption is essential:

  • Protection Against Theft: If a laptop, desktop, or server is lost or stolen, encryption prevents anyone from accessing the data stored on the device. Even if they physically remove the hard drive, they won't be able to read the data without the decryption key.
  • Compliance with Regulations: Many industries require encryption to meet security standards and protect sensitive customer information. For example, healthcare providers must ensure compliance with HIPAA, and businesses working with financial data are bound by similar regulations.
  • Safeguarding Sensitive Data: Whether it’s confidential business documents, customer data, or financial records, encryption ensures that your company’s most sensitive information stays protected—even if a breach occurs.

Why Many IT Companies Don’t Encrypt Computers

Despite the obvious benefits, many IT companies choose not to encrypt computers and servers. Why? Because encryption can add an extra layer of complexity to device management. Here are some common reasons why encryption is often overlooked:

  • Lack of Automation: Without the right tools in place, encrypting devices and managing encryption keys can be time-consuming and difficult. Many IT providers skip encryption because they don’t have a system for automating the process.
  • Key Management Challenges: Encryption requires managing decryption keys (like BitLocker passcodes for Windows devices). Without a proper system in place, tracking and storing these keys can lead to lost access or locked-out devices, which can disrupt productivity.
  • Fear of Productivity Loss: Some IT providers avoid encryption because they worry that if something goes wrong with key management, employees will be unable to access their devices, leading to downtime.

How EarneyIT Encrypts Your Devices

At EarneyIT, we know how critical encryption is to keeping your business secure, which is why we make it an integral part of our managed services. We use an automated encryption system that not only encrypts the hard drives of computers and servers but also tracks and stores BitLocker passcodes securely. This ensures that your devices are protected without adding unnecessary complexity to your IT operations.

  • Automated Encryption: Our system automatically encrypts devices as they’re deployed, ensuring that all computers and servers in your network are protected from day one.
  • BitLocker Passcode Management: We track and store all BitLocker passcodes, meaning that even if an issue arises, we have secure access to the keys needed to unlock and manage your devices. This eliminates the common concerns about being locked out of encrypted systems.
  • Ongoing Monitoring: Our system continually monitors the encryption status of your devices, ensuring that all new computers and servers are encrypted without any manual effort on your part.

Why Encryption Matters for Your Business

Encryption is one of the most effective ways to protect sensitive data, and it’s something every business should take seriously. Whether you’re concerned about compliance, data breaches, or protecting employee devices, encryption provides peace of mind that your data is secure—even in the worst-case scenario of a lost or stolen device.

Conclusion

At EarneyIT, we understand the importance of securing your data at every level. By using an automated encryption system that tracks and manages BitLocker passcodes, we ensure that your computers and servers are fully protected without disrupting your day-to-day operations. If your current IT provider isn’t encrypting your devices, it may be time to rethink your approach to data security.