Deploying policy at the firmware/BIOS

Deploying policy at the firmware/BIOS level is typically done in enterprise environments to ensure system integrity, enforce security controls, and maintain hardware configuration compliance. This is especially relevant for large-scale deployments using platforms from vendors like Dell, HPE, Lenovo, or HP.

---

🔐 Why BIOS-Level Policy Deployment?

• Lock boot devices (e.g., prevent USB boot)
• Enable/disable virtualization (VT-x/VT-d, AMD-V, SR-IOV)
• Enforce Secure Boot / TPM / UEFI
• Password protection
• Disable unused ports (USB, Thunderbolt)
• Lock configuration against changes

---

🧰 Common Methods of BIOS Policy Deployment

1. Vendor Management Tools (Recommended for Enterprises)

Each major OEM provides tools that allow BIOS settings and firmware policies to be pushed at scale:

🟩 Dell — Dell Command | Configure + Dell Client Configuration Toolkit (CCTK)

• Create BIOS policy packages (.exe or .cctk)
• Deploy via SCCM, Intune, or custom scripts
• Can export settings from a reference system
• Supports password protection of settings
• BIOS policies enforceable at boot

🟨 HP — HP BIOS Configuration Utility (BCU)

• Export current BIOS settings to a text file
• Modify, re-import using: bashCopyEditBiosConfigUtility64.exe /set:"settings.txt" /nspwd:"password"
• Deploy via SCCM, Intune, or MDT

🟦 Lenovo — Lenovo BIOS Setup using WMI / Lenovo Commercial Vantage

• Use Lenovo_BiosSetting WMI class via PowerShell or batch
• Example: powershellCopyEditSet-WmiInstance -Namespace root\wmi -Class Lenovo_BiosSetting -Arguments @{CurrentSetting="Virtualization=Enable"}

🟥 HPE — BIOS Configuration using iLO or RESTful API Tool

• Use iLO scripting or Redfish APIs to push settings remotely
• Example Redfish script to enable VT-d: bashCopyEditcurl -k -u admin:password -X PATCH https://ilo-ip/redfish/v1/Systems/1/Bios/Settings \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"IntelVTD": "Enabled"}'

---

2. UEFI Variables + Secure Boot Policies (Advanced)

For environments that use Secure Boot and UEFI signing (common in secure enterprises):

• Inject EFI variables into NVRAM
• Use signed EFI binaries to enforce lockdowns
• UEFI Secure Boot Custom Mode + signed policy keys
• Requires deep integration with MOK (Machine Owner Key) infrastructure

---

3. Firmware-Level Lockdown with Intel AMT / AMD DASH

• For Intel vPro systems: remotely manage via Intel AMT (part of ME)
• For AMD systems: use DASH (Desktop and mobile Architecture for System Hardware)
• Allows low-level BIOS changes even if OS is powered off

---

4. Platform Firmware Resilience (PFR) & Policy via BMC/iLO

• HPE Gen10+ / Dell iDRAC9+ / Lenovo XClarity all support BIOS policy enforcement via the BMC
• These tools:
  • Restore BIOS config if tampered
  • Enforce “known good” policy at boot
  • Enable rollback protection

---

✅ Recommended Workflow for Policy Deployment

1. Establish a Golden BIOS Configuration
   • Use a reference system to configure desired BIOS settings
   • Export the configuration using the OEM tool
2. Secure Settings
   • Set BIOS admin password to prevent local tampering
   • Lock the settings if supported
3. Deploy via Enterprise Management
   • SCCM, Intune, Ansible, or scripts via RMM
   • Push BIOS settings packages
   • Use task sequences to apply during OS deployment
4. Audit and Monitor
   • Use BIOS compliance reports (e.g., Dell BIOS Inventory, Lenovo WMI queries)
   • Trigger remediation scripts if out of compliance

---

🧪 BONUS: Open-Source BIOS/UEFI Projects

If you’re doing bare-metal or embedded deployments:

• Coreboot + Depthcharge + Flashrom
• TianoCore (EDK2): Create custom UEFI firmwares
• Use .dsc/.inf files to define firmware policy