Deploying policy at the firmware/BIOS

blog.payperitem.com,

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

Security Windows

Related Posts