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Encrypt Your Devices

Step 1: Find out if your device is compliant.

Use the MyDevices website to see a list of the computers that Stanford's records indicate are currently associated with you, along with their compliance statuses. If you see a device that is no longer in use or no longer associated with you, click the Remove button for that device.

Visit MyDevices

Step 2: Choose the operating system of your non-compliant device.

Compliance is required for all macOS devices used by employees on the campus network.

Step 3: Determine if your device can be encrypted.

Supported Operating Systems

macOS 10.9 and above

Step 4: Do you (or will you) access or store High Risk Data using this device?

No

Proceed to Step 5.

Step 5: Which encryption service should you use?

For those Stanford and personally owned devices that are not compliant, choose and download the option that best meets your needs:

Features Encryption with Management Encryption with Reporting
Verifiably encrypts computer Yes Yes
Complies with Stanford encryption requirement for High Risk Data Yes No
Deploys security patches and computer updates automatically via BigFix Yes No
Reports computer's encryption and screen saver status Yes Yes
Securely stores encryption key Yes optional
Supported Operating Systems macOS 10.9 and above macOS 10.9 and above
Download Install SWDE for Mac Install VLRE for Mac

If your device cannot be encrypted:

Option 1: Upgrade or replace

If your device is not running a supported operating system, it cannot become compliant in its current state. You can do one of the following:

  • Upgrade the operating system.
  • Replace your device with one capable of running a supported operating system.

If you need assistance, contact your local support.

Option 2: Disavowal

Indicate that the device is no longer being used.

  1. Open mydevices.stanford.edu to see a list of devices and their compliance statuses.
  2. Click the Remove button for that device.
  3. Select the reason for removal and click the Submit button.

Option 3: Exception

Submit an exception request for computers that cannot support encryption due to special research requirements.

  1. Request a compliance exception.
  2. Your exception request will be reviewed within one week.

Option 4: No action

  1. Receive weekly email notifications until the device's enforcement grace period has expired.
  2. Campus network access will be restricted for any device that remains non-compliant after its grace period has expired.

Compliance is required for all Windows devices used by employees on the campus network.

Step 3: Determine if your device can be encrypted.

Supported Operating Systems

Windows 7 Enterprise or Ultimate

Windows 8 / 8.1 Pro or Enterprise

Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education

Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education

TPM required for Windows 8.0 and below

Step 4: Do you (or will you) access or store High Risk Data using this device?

No

Proceed to Step 5.

Step 5: Which encryption service should you use?

For those Stanford and personally owned devices that are not compliant, choose and download the option that best meets your needs:

Features Encryption with Management Encryption with Reporting
Verifiably encrypts computer
Complies with Stanford encryption requirement for High Risk Data
Deploys security patches and computer updates automatically via BigFix
Reports computer's encryption and screen saver status
Securely stores encryption key optional
Supported Operating Systems

Windows 7 Enterprise or Ultimate

Windows 8 / 8.1 Pro or Enterprise

Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education

TPM required for Windows 8.0 and below

Windows 7 Enterprise or Ultimate

Windows 8 / 8.1 Pro or Enterprise

Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education

TPM required for Windows 8.0 and below

  Install SWDE for Windows Install VLRE for Windows

If your device cannot be encrypted:

Option 1: Upgrade or replace

If your device is not running a supported operating system, it cannot become compliant in its current state. You can do one of the following:

  • Upgrade the operating system.
  • Replace your device with one capable of running a supported operating system.

If you need assistance, contact your local support.

Option 2: Disavowal

Indicate that the device is no longer being used.

  1. Open mydevices.stanford.edu to see a list of devices and their compliance statuses.
  2. Click the Remove button for that device.
  3. Select the reason for removal and click the Submit button.

Option 3: Exception

Submit an exception request for computers that cannot support encryption due to special research requirements.

  1. Request a compliance exception.
  2. Your exception request will be reviewed within one week.

Option 4: No action

  1. Receive weekly email notifications until the device's enforcement grace period has expired.
  2. Campus network access will be restricted for any device that remains non-compliant after its grace period has expired.

Compliance is required for all iOS devices used by employees on the campus network.

Step 3: Determine if your device can be encrypted.

Supported Operating Systems

Apple Device: iOS 10 or later

If your device cannot be encrypted:

Option 1: Upgrade or replace

If your device is not running a supported operating system, it cannot become compliant in its current state. You can do one of the following:

  • Upgrade the operating system.
  • Replace your device with one capable of running a supported operating system.

If you need assistance, contact your local support.

Option 2: Disavowal

Indicate that the device is no longer being used.

  1. Open mydevices.stanford.edu to see a list of devices and their compliance statuses.
  2. Click the Remove button for that device.
  3. Select the reason for removal and click the Submit button.

Option 3: Exception

Submit an exception request for computers that cannot support encryption due to special research requirements.

  1. Request a compliance exception.
  2. Your exception request will be reviewed within one week.

Option 4: No action

  1. Receive weekly email notifications until the device's enforcement grace period has expired.
  2. Campus network access will be restricted for any device that remains non-compliant after its grace period has expired.

Compliance is required for all Android devices used by employees on the campus network.

Step 3: Determine if your device can be encrypted.

Supported Operating Systems

Android Device: Android 6.0 or later

If your device cannot be encrypted:

Option 1: Upgrade or replace

If your device is not running a supported operating system, it cannot become compliant in its current state. You can do one of the following:

  • Upgrade the operating system.
  • Replace your device with one capable of running a supported operating system.

If you need assistance, contact your local support.

Option 2: Disavowal

Indicate that the device is no longer being used.

  1. Open mydevices.stanford.edu to see a list of devices and their compliance statuses.
  2. Click the Remove button for that device.
  3. Select the reason for removal and click the Submit button.

Option 3: Exception

Submit an exception request for computers that cannot support encryption due to special research requirements.

  1. Request a compliance exception.
  2. Your exception request will be reviewed within one week.

Option 4: No action

  1. Receive weekly email notifications until the device's enforcement grace period has expired.
  2. Campus network access will be restricted for any device that remains non-compliant after its grace period has expired.

Devices running Linux and Windows Phone are temporarily exempt from the encryption requirement.

Do not store High Risk Data without a formal exception.

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