Method and system for maintaining backup of portable storage devices
First Claim
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1. A method of securely storing original data, comprising the steps of:
- (a) storing the original data in a first portable storage device;
(b) encrypting the original data using a processor of said first portable storage device and a backup key, thereby providing encrypted backup data that are different than the original data;
(c) storing said encrypted backup data in a backup medium that is separate from said first portable storage device;
(d) protecting said backup key, by steps including encrypting said backup key, thereby providing a protected backup key;
(e) retrieving said protected backup key, by steps including decrypting said protected backup key; and
(f) decrypting said encrypted backup data, using said retrieved backup key, thereby providing recovered data.
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Abstract
Data stored in a portable storage device are encrypted, for example by a processor of the portable storage device itself, using a backup key and stored in a backup medium. The backup key is protected by being stored in a backup key storage medium, such as an internet server, a pocketable medium or a trusted computer, preferably after being encrypted using a password. As needed, the backup key is retrieved and used to decrypt the data from the backup medium. The decrypted data are restored to the original portable storage device or to a different portable storage device.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method of securely storing original data, comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing the original data in a first portable storage device; (b) encrypting the original data using a processor of said first portable storage device and a backup key, thereby providing encrypted backup data that are different than the original data; (c) storing said encrypted backup data in a backup medium that is separate from said first portable storage device; (d) protecting said backup key, by steps including encrypting said backup key, thereby providing a protected backup key; (e) retrieving said protected backup key, by steps including decrypting said protected backup key; and (f) decrypting said encrypted backup data, using said retrieved backup key, thereby providing recovered data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for securely storing original data, comprising:
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(a) a first portable storage device for storing the original data, said first portable storage device including a processor for encrypting the original data using a backup key, thereby providing encrypted backup data that are different than the original data; (b) a backup medium, separate from said first portable storage device, for storing said encrypted backup data; and (c) a backup key storage medium, separate from both said first portable storage device and said backup medium, and including an internet server that includes a memory area for storing both said backup key and a representation of an encryption password that is used to encrypt said backup key prior to said storing of said backup key in said memory area. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of securely storing original data, comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing the original data in a first portable storage device; (b) encrypting the original data using a backup key, thereby providing encrypted backup data that are different than the original data, said encrypting being effected by a processor of said first portable storage device; and (c) storing said encrypted backup data in a backup medium that is separate from said first portable storage device; (d) encrypting said backup key, thereby providing an encrypted backup key; and (e) storing said encrypted backup key in said backup medium. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method of secure backup and retrieval of original data stored in a first portable storage device, comprising the steps of:
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(a) encrypting the original data using a processor of the first portable storage device and a backup key, thereby providing encrypted backup data that are different than the original data; (b) storing said encrypted backup data in a backup medium separate from the first portable storage device; (c) protecting said backup key, by steps including; (i) encrypting said backup key, and (ii) storing said encrypted backup key in a backup key storage device that is independent of said backup medium, thereby providing a protected backup key; (d) retrieving said protected backup key; (e) retrieving said encrypted backup data from said backup medium; (f) decrypting said encrypted backup data, using said retrieved backup key, thereby providing recovered data; and (g) storing said recovered data in a target portable storage device selected from the group consisting of the first portable storage device and a second portable storage device. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method of securely storing original data, comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing the original data in a first portable storage device; (b) encrypting the original data using a processor of said first portable storage device and a backup key, thereby providing encrypted backup data that are different than the original data; (c) storing said encrypted backup data in a backup medium that is separate from said first portable storage device; (d) protecting said backup key, by steps including; (i) encrypting said backup key, and (ii) storing said encrypted backup key in a backup key storage device that is independent of said backup medium, thereby providing a protected backup key; (e) retrieving said protected backup key; and (f) decrypting said encrypted backup data, using said retrieved backup key, thereby providing recovered data.
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Specification