Drive encryption on Windows file server

[JJ Johnson]

What are the pros and cons of enabling drive encryption on a Windows file server?

My home server run Windows Server 2008 R2 Std SP1, with JBOD drives. I'm the only user on the network, but encrypting all of the data on the server wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[Grimlaking]

JJ, I have a question... why?

It isn't a question of Can you, but Should you.

What are the reasons TO do it that you have? Sensitive work data? Sensitive photos/videos you need to keep private? That sort of thing. If you have that.. then instead of encryption your entire OS and storage I would add a disk... make it stand alone.. maybe in a mirriored pair and encrypt that volume alone.

Encrypting everything is going to be a potential pain point for you.

Also look into backup and recovery of your encryption key's in case of a OS loss. Make sure you understand the recovery procedure and it is worth the headache.

And lastly.. keep in mind encryption is only as good as the most un-secure device that can access the data.