Toshiba WIPE Tech For Self-Encrypting Drives Auto Junks Your Data

Toshiba has announced [PDF link] a new hard-drive technology, WIPE, that can automatically delete sensitive data on loss of power or should the HDD be removed.  Intended for Toshiba self-encrypting drives predominantly used in copier and printer systems, WIPE works by automatically erasing the SED's internal encryption key.

That basically means that, while the data is still present, the encryption can't be unlocked for third-party access.  While leased office appliances seem to be Toshiba's primary target, it's not too big a stretch to see the company offering WIPE on enterprise hard-drives for notebooks.

Press Release:

TOSHIBA ANNOUNCES WIPE TECHNOLOGY FOR SELF-ENCRYPTING DISK DRIVES
New Technology Improves Data Security And Reduces The Risk Of Data Leakage Associated With Document Image Data Stored On Copier And Printer Systems

TOKYO, Japan, August 10, 2010 — Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced Wipe for Toshiba Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) models, a technology that allows special security capabilities, such as the world's first[1] ability for sensitive user data to be securely erased when a system is powered-down or when a SED HDD is removed from the system. The feature can also be used to securely erase user data prior to returning a leased system, system disposal or re-purposing. Wipe was created as an enhancement to Toshiba's Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) hard disk drives.

Toshiba announced its latest 2.5" 7200rpm SED HDD model in July 2010, to address the increasing need for IT departments to comply with privacy laws and regulations governing data security. Designed to the Trusted Computing Group "Opal" Specification, Toshiba's SED models provide advanced access security and on-board encryption for client systems such as notebook computers.

But lost or stolen notebooks are not the only security risk that IT departments must address. Today, most office copier and printing systems utilize HDD capacity and performance to deliver a highly productive document imaging environment. Many organizations are now realizing the critical importance of maintaining the security of document image data stored within copier and printer systems. Wipe is a technology that can automatically invalidate an HDD security key when its power supply is turned off, instantly making all data in the drive indecipherable. Toshiba's innovative new Wipe Technology adds advanced storage security features to enable system makers to transparently and automatically secure private data.

Copier and Printer systems vendors can now use Toshiba's Wipe Technology to securely invalidate sensitive document image data by automatically erasing the SED's internal encryption key. This feature can easily be used prior to system disposal or re-purposing to ensure that private data never leaves the control of the responsible business unit or IT department.

Toshiba's Wipe Technology may be used to set data invalidation attributes for multiple data ranges. This flexibility provides systems designers with a powerful set of data security capabilities that can be easily incorporated into existing system architecture. Attributes include ... – Data encryption and secure invalidation on power cycle.

- Data encryption and preservation on power cycle.

In addition to sensitive data stored on client PCs and removable storage devices, many organizations realize that security of "data at rest" must also extend to document images stored on the hard disk drives within copier and printer systems. Toshiba's innovative new Wipe Technology provides advanced storage security features to enable systems makers to transparently and automatically secure private data on office copiers, printers and other types of business imaging systems.

[1] As of August 10, 2010, source by Toshiba