Trustworthy timestamps on data storage devices
First Claim
1. A data storage device comprising:
- a nonvolatile memory in which a secure key is pre-recorded, the secure key being unreadable outside of the data storage device;
means for performing a write operation in response to receiving a write command from a host device, the write command specifying data and an address;
means for generating a timestamp for the write operation;
a hash code generator for generating a hash code using the secure key and using at least the data and timestamp as input; and
means for recording the timestamp and hash code as metadata associated with the data.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Secure timestamps created by a data storage device are described. Metadata timestamp is created for each recorded unit of data (such as a sector) The HDD performs the time-stamping in a secure manner. The timestamp is made secure by performing a secure operation (i.e. one that can only be performed by the HDD) using the data and timestamp. The secure operation uses a secure key that is built-in to the storage device and is not readable outside of the device. In some embodiments the secure operation is encryption using the secure key. In other embodiments the secure operation is a hash code function (such as a Hash-based Message Authentication Code (HMAC) function) that uses the secure key to generate a hash code using at least the recorded data and the timestamp as input. The hash code is then included in the metadata that is recorded for the data unit.
23 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A data storage device comprising:
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a nonvolatile memory in which a secure key is pre-recorded, the secure key being unreadable outside of the data storage device; means for performing a write operation in response to receiving a write command from a host device, the write command specifying data and an address; means for generating a timestamp for the write operation; a hash code generator for generating a hash code using the secure key and using at least the data and timestamp as input; and means for recording the timestamp and hash code as metadata associated with the data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of operation a data storage device comprising:
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recording secure key in a nonvolatile memory location in the data storage device, the location being inaccessible to being read outside of the data storage device; and performing a write operation in response to receiving a write command from a host device, the write command specifying data and an address, the write operation including; generating a timestamp for the write operation; generating a hash code using the secure key and using at least the data and timestamp as input; and recording the timestamp and hash code as metadata associated with the data. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A data storage device comprising:
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a nonvolatile memory in which a secure key is pre-recorded, the secure key being unreadable outside of the data storage device; means for performing a write operation in response to receiving a write command from a host device, the write command specifying data and an address; means for generating a timestamp for the write operation; an encryption function for encrypting the data and timestamp using the secure key producing an encrypted record; and means for recording the encrypted record at the address. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of operation a data storage device comprising:
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recording secure key in a nonvolatile memory location in the data storage device, the location being inaccessible to being read outside of the data storage device; and performing a write operation in response to receiving a write command from a host device, the write command specifying data and an address, the write operation including; generating a timestamp for the write operation; encrypting the data and timestamp using the secure key to produce an encrypted record; and recording the encrypted record at the address. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification