The encryption type for password protected Open XML files must be set.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-70865	DTOO189	SV-85489r1_rule	ECSC-1	Medium

Description
If unencrypted files are intercepted, sensitive information in the files can be compromised. To protect information confidentiality, Microsoft Office application files can be encrypted and password protected. Only users who know the correct password will be able to decrypt such files. Since some encryption types are less secure and easier to breach, Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider, AES-256, 256-bit should be used when encrypting documents.

Description

If unencrypted files are intercepted, sensitive information in the files can be compromised. To protect information confidentiality, Microsoft Office application files can be encrypted and password protected. Only users who know the correct password will be able to decrypt such files. Since some encryption types are less secure and easier to breach, Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider, AES-256, 256-bit should be used when encrypting documents.

STIG	Date
Microsoft Office System 2016 STIG	2016-12-21

Details

Check Text ( None )
None

Fix Text (F-45651r1_fix)
Set the policy value for User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office 2016 -> Security Settings "Encryption type for password protected Office Open XML files" to "Enabled (Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider,AES 256,256)".