Effect of BitLocker on SQL server database performance?

Question

We have a corporate requirement to ensure data is encrypted at rest.  We are running SQL Server 2014 with a 1.5TB database, mostly read activity.
I am considering using BitLocker to meet the requirement.  I have searched the forums and can't seem to find anyone who has had direct experience with using BitLocker to protect data drives running SQL.  Does anyone have any real world experience
with this, particularly experience with the effect on the performance of SQL?
BTW - our preference is to use BitLocker and not TDE, as TDE seems much more complex in its administration which introduces some risk for our team of IT generalists.
TIA.

Answer 1

Hi  BArmand ,
The hardware cost depends on how strong we want the BitLocker to protect .
BitLocker supports two levels of cipher strength for BitLocker: 128-bit and 256-bit. Longer encryption keys provide an enhanced level of security. However, longer keys can cause slower encryption
and decryption of data. On some computers, using longer keys might result in noticeable performance degradation.
Generally it imposes a single-digit percentage performance overhead.
If the hardware configuration of our server is up to date ,there won’t be noticeable effect on performance .
Here is some detailed information of BitLocker :
How Strong Do You Want the BitLocker Protection? :
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee706531(WS.10).aspx
BitLocker Drive Encryption :
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731549%28v=ws.10%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396
Best Regards,
Leo
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