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Method and apparatus for overwriting an encryption key of a media drive

  • US 8,645,716 B1
  • Filed: 10/04/2011
  • Issued: 02/04/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:

  • detecting a power event of a media drive, the media drive securely storing encrypted data, the encrypted data decryptable using one or more plain-text keys stored in a one-time-programmable (OTP) memory of the media drive;

    activating, responsive to the detection of the power event of the media drive, a periodic counter, the periodic counter configured to cause, responsive to reaching a predetermined value that corresponds with a particular amount of time, the one or more plain-text keys stored in the OTP memory to be overwritten effective to zeroize the one or more plain-text keys; and

    deactivating, responsive to an indication that the media drive is secure and before the predetermined value is reached, the periodic counter to prevent the one or more plain-text keys stored in the OTP memory from being zeroized effective to enable access to the one or more plain-text keys for decrypting the encrypted data after the particular amount of time has elapsed.

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