Dead on demand disk technology

• US 7,099,110 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ensconce Data Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ensconce Data Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Detzler, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): KLIMOWICZ, WILLIAM JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US10/803,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20040252628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 720/718, 720/719, 720/748, 360/66, 360/69, 360/97.02, 360/137, 713/200, 713/201, 713/202, 428/64.1, 428/64.2, 428/64.4, 369/288, 369/275.5, 369/286
• US Class Current: 360/97.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/554 involving event detection and direct action
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 Protecting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/282 Limited play
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/505 of disk carriers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for permanently and generally instantaneously destroying at least the data contained on magnetic data storage media upon the occurrence of certain events. Unauthorized access to data stored on magnetic media is prevented by destruction of the media with a reactant chemical. This approach may be initiated as a response to tampering or intentionally by using any one of several triggering interfaces described herein. Destruction of the media is quick and permanent, rendering the data unrecoverable even to aggressive recovery procedures.

Claims

1. A system for rendering data stored on a data storage device unrecoverable upon the occurrence of a certain event, the system comprising:

a reactant reservoir including at least one chamber for holding a reactant chemical, the reactant reservoir in fluid communication with at least an area proximate at least one surface of said data storage device;

an activation device, coupled to said reactant reservoir and responsive to at least one event, for causing at least a portion of the reactant chemical to flow from the reactant reservoir into the at least an area proximate at least one surface of said data storage device, thereby destroying the stored data, the at least one event being selected from the group consisting of removal of the data storage device from a host computer, removal of data storage device from a primary power circuit, detected movement of the data storage device from its resting point, a certain number of detected unsuccessful login attempts, an infrared signal sent from an infrared controller, a remote transmitter signal sent from a remote transmitter, a cellular signal sent from a cellular telephone, a wireless transmitter signal sent by a wireless transmitter, a keyboard signal sent from a wired controller, detected physical tampering with the data storage device, detected loss of power from the primary power circuit and backup batteries, a command sent through an Internet, a key command sequence entered from the keyboard, a voice command through a voice recognition system, a biometric signal, an incorrect biometric signal, and detected temperature outside a range of temperatures; and

an event interface, coupled to said activation device, for establishing selected predetermined criteria for said at least one event, wherein the selected predetermined criteria include a countdown time before the reactant chemical flows from the reactant reservoir.

2. A method for rendering data stored on a data storage device unrecoverable upon the occurrence of a certain event, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a reactant reservoir including at least one chamber for holding a reactant chemical, the reactant reservoir in fluid communication with at least an area proximate at least one surface of said data storage device;

providing an activation device, coupled to said reactant reservoir and responsive to at least one event;

sending a signal to commence the destruction of the data contained on data storage media when at least one of a certain event occurs, the at least one certain event being selected from the group consisting of;

removal of the data storage device from a host computer, removal of data storage device from a primary power circuit, detected movement of the data storage device from its resting point, a certain number of detected unsuccessful login attempts, an infrared signal sent from an infrared controller, a cellular signal sent from a cellular telephone, a wireless transmitter signal sent by a wireless transmitter, a keyboard signal sent from a wired controller, detected physical tampering with the data storage device, detected loss of power from the primary power circuit and backup batteries, a command sent through an Internet connection, a key command sequence entered from the keyboard, a voice command through a voice recognition system, a biometric signal, an incorrect biometric signal, and a detected temperature outside a range of temperatures;

receiving the signal to commence the destruction of the data contained on the data storage media;

providing an event interface, coupled to said activation device, for establishing at least selected predetermined criteria for said at least one events; and

responsive to said act of receiving said signal, causing at least a portion of the reactant chemical to flow from the reactant reservoir into the at least an area proximate at least one surface of said data storage device, thereby destroying the stored data after the passage of a predetermined period of time.

3. The method for rendering data stored on a data storage device unrecoverable according to claim 2, further including the act of aborting the destruction of the data contained on the data storage media before the reactant chemical comes into contact with the storage device.

4. The method for rendering data stored on a data storage device unrecoverable according to claim 3, wherein the aborting act is performed before the expiration of the predetermined period of time.

5. A method for rendering data stored on a data storage device forensically unrecoverable, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a first reactant canister containing a first reactant chemical;

providing a second reactant canister containing a second reactant chemical;

applying the first and second reactant chemicals to at least one surface of said data storage device;

causing the first and second reactant chemicals to mix and become active for rendering data on a data storage device forensically unrecoverable; and

allowing the first and second reactant chemicals to react with at least one surface of said data storage device to render any data stored on said data storage device forensically unrecoverable.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining the amount of reactant chemical to apply to at least one surface of said data storage device.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein applying the reactant chemical further comprising pumping the reactant chemical onto at least one surface of said data storage device.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of causing the first and second reactant chemicals to mix occurs prior to said step of applying the first and second reactant chemicals.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of causing the first and second reactant chemicals to mix occurs after or concurrently with said step of applying the first and second reactant chemicals.

10. A system for rendering data stored on a data storage device unrecoverable upon the occurrence of a certain event, the system comprising:

a reactant reservoir including at least one chamber for holding a reactant chemical, the reactant reservoir in fluid communication with at least an area proximate at least one surface of said data storage device; and

an activation device, coupled to said reactant reservoir and configured to receive a remote signal and, upon receiving said remote signal, to cause at least a portion of the reactant chemical to flow from the reactant reservoir into the at least an area proximate at least one surface of said data storage device, thereby destroying the stored data and further configured to receive an abort signal for preventing said reactant chemical from flowing from the reactant reservoir into the at least an area proximate at least one surface of said data storage device.