Removable hard disk with front panel input

• US 20080178283A1
• Filed: 01/22/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Agarwal, Ajay, Pratt, Thomas L., Curtis, William A., Bumpus, Winston
• Granted Patent: US 8,607,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/80 in storage media based on magnetic or optical technology, e.g. disks with sectors preventing unauthorised reproduction or copying of disc-type recordable media G11B20/00

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed for authenticating a removable data storage device (RDSD) by using a trusted information module (TIM) to control access to data files stored on the RDSD. A security information input receiver receives identity verification factors from a user and provides the identity verification factors to the TIM for processing. In some embodiments of the invention, the TIM uses identity verification factors in cryptographic operation to authenticate the user, the RDSD and the information processing system to each other. The TIM then performs similar operations with the contents of one or more authorization files to control access and usage of the data files stored on the RDSD.

Claims

1. A security system for a removable data storage device (RDSD), comprising:

one or more information handling systems, operable to access a plurality of data files comprising said RDSD;

a trusted information module (TIM) comprising a non-volatile storage medium operable to securely store security credentials; and

one or more security information input receivers;

wherein said TIM is operable to initiate authentication and authorization processes using predetermined user identity verification information received from said security information input receivers.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said non-volatile storage medium is operable to securely store passwords, digital keys, digital certificates and other security mechanisms.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said non-volatile storage medium comprises a removable smart card operable to securely communicate trusted information using physical contacts.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said non-volatile storage medium comprises a removable device operable to securely communicate trusted information using a universal serial bus (USB) connection.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said predetermined identity verification information comprises two or more user identity verification factors, operable to authenticate said RDSD, said information handling systems, and said user to each other.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said predetermined identity verification information comprises two or more user identity verification factors, operable to authorize predetermined access to said plurality of data files.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said user identity factors are manually entered by a user using said input receivers.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said user identity factors are automatically entered by a user using said input receivers.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said user identity factors are entered using a radio frequency identification device (RFID) input receiver.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said user identity factors are entered using a biometric input receiver.

11. A method for securing information stored in a plurality of data files on a removable data storage device (RDSD), comprising:

storing security credentials on a trusted information module (TIM) comprising a non-volatile storage; and

using a security information input receiver to receive user identity verification information from a user;

using said TIM to initiate authentication and authorization processes using said security credentials and said predetermined user identity verification information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said non-volatile storage medium is operable to securely store passwords, digital keys, digital certificates and other security mechanisms.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said non-volatile storage medium comprises a removable smart card operable to securely communicate trusted information using physical contacts.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said non-volatile storage medium comprises a removable device operable to securely communicate trusted information using a universal serial bus (USB) connection.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said predetermined identity verification information comprises two or more user identity verification factors, operable to authenticate said RDSD, an information handling system, and said user to each other.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said predetermined identity verification information comprises two or more user identity verification factors, operable to authorize predetermined access to said plurality of data files.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said user identity factors are manually entered by a user using said input receiver.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said user identity factors are automatically entered by a user using said input receiver.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said user identity factors are entered using a radio frequency identification device (RFID) input receiver.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said user identity factors are entered using a biometric input receiver.