Windows 11 systems must use a BitLocker PIN with a minimum length of six digits for pre-boot authentication.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-253261 | WN11-00-000032 | SV-253261r1210284_rule | CCI-000804 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| If data at rest is unencrypted, it is vulnerable to disclosure. Even if the operating system enforces permissions on data access, an adversary can remove nonvolatile memory and read it directly, thereby circumventing operating system controls. Encrypting the data ensures that confidentiality is protected even when the operating system is not running. Pre-boot authentication prevents unauthorized users from accessing encrypted drives. Increasing the pin length requires a greater number of guesses for an attacker. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2026-05-19 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-253261r1210284_chk)
For AVD implementations with no data at rest, this is NA.
If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding:
Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\FVE\
Value Name: MinimumPIN
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000006 (6) or greater
Fix Text (F-56664r828866_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> BitLocker Drive Encryption >> Operating System Drives "Configure minimum PIN length for startup" to "Enabled" with "Minimum characters:" set to "6" or greater.