Technology Platforms and IP Portfolio

DataLock™

Problem:

How to protect data from unauthorized access in the event the storage medium is lost or stolen.

Solution:

A DataLock enabled portable storage device can be implemented with a USB Flash Drive (UFD) integrated with a "physical" input mechanism that is used to enter a combination (like a combination lock). When locked, the UFD is invisible to a host computer, even while connected. With the correct combination, it becomes unlocked to allow read/write access.

This invention can be implemented on most of today's portable storage devices (Flash and HDD) with a variety of input and output features (e.g. thumb-wheel, buttons, rocker switches, etc), battery, or display.

The advantage of a DataLock equipped portable drive is that security is managed by the device and not the host. A DataLock drive does not depend on any host software or driver to administer security. Once unlocked, the device is accessed as a standard Mass Storage Class device.

Standard on-board encryption secures the drive automatically and makes it tamper-proof. No need to create special encryption archives as you can move files on and off a DataLock drive as you would any other. In read-only mode, content is publicly available but requires a PIN for writing.

DataLock is O/S and host independent. It works equally well with office and lab equipment (e.g. copiers, medical instruments, PDA). Since the locking mechanism is hidden from its host, the drive is immune to traditional hacking attacks.