Location sensitive solid state drive
View Patent ↗A data storage system including a SSD includes a capability to detect whether its location is acceptable for function, and a capability to self-disable in the event the location of the device is unacceptable, or to self-enable only while the location of the device is acceptable.
1. A self-enabling data storage device, comprising:
a persistent storage device;
a location sensor to sense a current location of said persistent storage device;
an encryption key to set an encryption of data stored in said persistent storage device based on said current location; and
an enabler to self-enable operation of said persistent storage device when said current location of said persistent storage device falls within a permitted location;
wherein said persistent storage device is programmable to self-activate at least one of a fast erase function of said persistent storage device, a secure erase function of said persistent storage device, and a destructive erase function of said persistent storage device, when said persistent storage device is located in a non-permitted location.
2. The self-enabling data storage device according to claim 1 , wherein said persistent storage device comprises:
a solid state drive (SSD).
3. The self-enabling data storage device according to claim 1 , wherein said location sensor comprises:
a global positioning system (GPS) device.
4. The self-enabling data storage device according to claim 1 , wherein:
said location sensor comprises a long range navigation (LORAN) receiver.
5. The self-enabling data storage device according to claim 1 , wherein:
said data stored in said persistent storage device is encrypted when said current location does not match said permitted location wherein said persistent storage device is permitted to operate.
6. A self-disabling data storage device, comprising:
a persistent storage device;
a location sensor to sense a current location of said persistent storage device;
a decryption key to set decryption of data stored in said persistent storage device based on said current location; and
a disabler to self-disable operation of said persistent storage device when said current location of said persistent storage device falls within a non-permitted location;
wherein said persistent storage device is programmable to self-activate at least one of a fast erase function of said persistent storage device, a secure erase function of said persistent storage device, and a destructive erase function of said persistent storage device, when said persistent storage device is located in said non-permitted location.
7. The self-disabling data storage device according to claim 6 , wherein said persistent storage device comprises:
a solid state drive (SSD).
8. The self-disabling data storage device according to claim 6 , wherein said location sensor comprises:
a global positioning system (GPS) device.
9. The self-disabling data storage device according to claim 6 , wherein:
said location sensor comprises a long range navigation (LORAN) receiver.
10. The self-disabling data storage device according to claim 6 , wherein:
said data stored in said persistent storage device is decrypted when said current location does not match said non-permitted location where said persistent storage device is disabled.
11. A method of self-enabling data storage, comprising:
sensing a current location of a persistent storage device;
setting an encryption of data stored in said persistent storage device based on said current location;
self-enabling operation of said persistent storage device when said current location of said persistent storage device falls within a permitted location; and
self-activating at least one of a fast erase function of said persistent storage device, a secure erase function of said persistent storage device, and a destructive erase function of said persistent storage device, when said persistent storage device is located in a non-permitted location.
12. The method of self-enabling data storage according to claim 11 , wherein:
said persistent storage device is a solid state drive (SSD).
13. The method of self-enabling data storage according to claim 11 , wherein:
said current location is sensed by a global positioning system (GPS) device.
14. The method of self-enabling data storage according to claim 11 , wherein:
said location sensor comprises a long range navigation (LORAN) receiver.
15. The method of self-enabling data storage according to claim 11 , wherein:
said data stored in said persistent storage device is encrypted when said current location does not match said permitted location where said persistent storage device is permitted to operate.
16. A method of self-enabling data storage device, comprising:
sensing a current location of a persistent storage device;
setting a decryption of data stored in said persistent storage device based on said current location;
self-disabling operation of said persistent storage device when said current location of said persistent storage device falls within a non-permitted location; and
self-activating at least one of a fast erase function, a secure erase function, and a destructive erase function when said persistent storage device is located in a non-permitted location.
17. The method of self-enabling data storage according to claim 16 , wherein:
said persistent storage device is a solid state drive (SSD).
18. The method of self-enabling data storage according to claim 16 , wherein:
said current location is sensed by a global positioning system (GPS) device.
19. The method of self-enabling data storage according to claim 16 , wherein:
said location sensor comprises a long range navigation (LORAN) receiver.
20. The method of self-enabling data storage according to claim 16 , wherein:
said data stored in said persistent storage device is decrypted when said current location does not match said non-permitted location where said persistent storage device is disabled.