SNIA Developer Conference September 15-17, 2025 | Santa Clara, CA
Abstract
Self-encrypting storage (e.g. hard drives) integrates the AES encryption hardware and strong access control directly into the drive electronics and thus avoids many of the vulnerabilities of software-based solutions, providing protection against computer loss or theft and facilitating computer re-purposing and end-of-life. By deleting the cryptographic key under strong administrative access control, the drive can be instantly
"sanitized." Advantages include:
Learning Objectives
Automatic, always-on, hardware-based encryption
Transparent to end user, operating system, applications and databases
No performance degradation
Simplifies key management: encryption key does not leave the drive
Enables instant secure disposal and re-purposing
Standards-based interoperability (Trusted Computing Group specifications for self-encryption and key management)
Applicable from the laptop to the data center