Details
This policy setting specifies whether Virtualization Based Security is enabled. Virtualization Based Security uses the Windows Hypervisor to provide support for security services.
The recommended state for this setting is: Secure Boot and DMA Protection.
Note: Virtualization Based Security requires a 64-bit version of Windows with Secure Boot enabled, which in turn requires that Windows was installed with a UEFI BIOS configuration, not a Legacy BIOS configuration. In addition, if running Windows on a virtual machine, the hardware-assisted CPU virtualization feature (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) must be exposed by the host to the guest VM.
More information on system requirements for this feature can be found at this link:
Windows Defender Credential Guard Requirements (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs
Rationale:
Secure Boot can help reduce the risk of bootloader attacks and in conjunction with DMA protections to help protect data from being scraped from memory.
Solution
To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Secure Boot and DMA Protection:
Computer ConfigurationPoliciesAdministrative TemplatesSystemDevice GuardTurn On Virtualization Based Security: Select Platform Security Level
Impact:
Warning: All drivers on the system must be compatible with this feature or the system may crash. Ensure that this policy setting is only deployed to computers which are known to be compatible.
Default Value:
Disabled.
CIS Controls:
Version 6
16.14 Encrypt/Hash All Authentication Files And Monitor Their Access
Verify that all authentication files are encrypted or hashed and that these files cannot be accessed without root or administrator privileges. Audit all access to password files in the system.
Version 7
16.4 Encrypt or Hash all Authentication Credentials
Encrypt or hash with a salt all authentication credentials when stored.
Supportive Information
The following resource is also helpful.
This security hardening control applies to the following category of controls within NIST 800-53: Identification and Authentication.This control applies to the following type of system Windows.