System and Method of Storage Device Data Encryption and Data Access Via a Hardware Key

• US 20080181406A1
• Filed: 01/30/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Technology Properties Limited LLC
• Original Assignee: Technology Properties Limited LLC
• Inventors: Iyer, Sree M., Antonopoulos, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US11/669,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20080181406A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/277
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect

Abstract

Systems and methods of storage device data encryption and data access via a hardware key are described herein. One embodiment includes a hardware key intercepting a request sent from a host to a storage device to access data stored on the storage device, wherein the data stored on the storage device has been encrypted using a first encryption key, the hardware key configured to be plugged into a port of the host and the hardware key comprising a controller comprising the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data from the storage device. The hardware key interpreting the request and issuing a command to the storage device to access the encrypted data. The hardware key providing the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data from the storage device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a hardware key intercepting a request sent from a host to a storage device to access data stored on the storage device, wherein the data stored on the storage device has been encrypted using a first encryption key, the hardware key configured to be plugged into a port of the host and the hardware key comprising a controller comprising the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data from the storage device;

the hardware key interpreting the request and issuing a command to the storage device to access the encrypted data; and

the hardware key providing the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data from the storage device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the hardware key intercepting a reply from the storage device, the reply including encrypted data from the storage device; and

the hardware key using the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hardware key comprises a USB key.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage device is a storage device peripheral to the host.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage device is a disk drive.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the host is a mobile computing device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein accessing the first encryption key comprises accessing a second encryption key to decipher the first encryption key.

8. A machine readable medium having stored thereon a set of instructions which when executed perform a method comprising:

a hardware key intercepting a request sent from a host to a storage device to access data stored on the storage device, wherein the data stored on the storage device has been encrypted using a first encryption key, the hardware key configured to be plugged into a port of the host and the hardware key comprising a controller comprising the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data from the storage device;

the hardware key interpreting the request and issuing a command to the storage device to access the encrypted data; and

the hardware key providing the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data from the storage device.

9. The machine readable medium of claim 8, further comprising:

the hardware key intercepting a reply from the storage device, the reply including encrypted data from the storage device; and

the hardware key using the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data.

10. The machine readable medium of claim 8, wherein the hardware key comprises a USB key.

11. The machine readable medium of claim 8, wherein the storage device is a storage device peripheral to the host.

12. The machine readable medium of claim 11, wherein the storage device is a disk drive.

13. The machine readable medium of claim 8, wherein the host is a mobile computing device.

14. The machine readable medium of claim 13, wherein accessing the first encryption key comprises accessing a second encryption key to decipher the first encryption key.

15. A system comprising:

a means for a hardware key intercepting a request sent from a host to a storage device to access data stored on the storage device, wherein the data stored on the storage device has been encrypted using a first encryption key, the hardware key configured to be plugged into a port of the host and the hardware key comprising a controller comprising the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data from the storage device;

a means for the hardware key interpreting the request and issuing a command to the storage device to access the encrypted data; and

a means for the hardware key providing the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data from the storage device.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a means for the hardware key intercepting a reply from the storage device, the reply including encrypted data from the storage device, and for the hardware key using the first encryption key to decipher the encrypted data.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the hardware key comprises a USB key.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the storage device is a storage device peripheral to the host.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage device is a disk drive.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the host is a mobile computing device.