Status indicator on a data storage device

1. A method, comprising;

generating a confirmation code;

affixing the confirmation code to an enclosure of a data storage device;

determining that a data storage medium of the data storage device has been securely erased;

displaying, on a visual display of the data storage device, an indication that the data storage medium has been securely erased, the indication including a unique code matching a code associated only with the data storage device and no other data storage device, the code indicating the data storage medium is securely erased;

confirming that the data storage medium is securely erased upon determining the confirmation code affixed to the enclosure matches at least a portion of the unique code displayed on the visual display;

detecting a removal of an operating voltage from the data storage device;

continuing to display the indication that the data storage medium is securely erased after the removal of the operating voltage;

detecting data being saved to the data storage medium after determining the data storage device has been securely erased; and

removing the indication from the visual display that the data storage medium has been securely erased upon detecting the data being saved to the data storage medium.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the data storage medium has been securely erased comprises:

determining that an encryption key securing data stored on the data storage medium has been erased.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indications displayed on the visual display are controlled by firmware instructions stored on the data storage medium and executed by the data storage device.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the firmware instructions are executed by a processor of the data storage device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visual display is an electronic-paper display.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

displaying, on the visual display, one or more indications of a workload status, a sensor status, an error condition status, an operating hours status, or a temperature status.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

displaying, on the visual display, an indication of when the data storage medium was securely erased.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visual display is a mechanical display operative to display information indicating that the data storage medium has been securely erased.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a data storage device configured to be mounted within a processing system, the data storage device comprising:

a confirmation code affixed to an enclosure of the data storage device;

a data storage medium configured to store data;

a visual display configured to display information associated with the data storage device, wherein the data storage device is configured to display an indication that the data storage medium is securely erased, the indication including a unique code matching a code associated only with the data storage device and no other data storage device, the code indicating the data storage medium is securely erased;

a processor configured to:

cause the indication to be displayed on the visual display upon determining the data storage medium is securely erased;

confirm that the data storage medium is securely erased based at least in part on a determination the confirmation code affixed to the enclosure matches at least a portion of the unique code displayed on the visual display;

detect a removal of an operating voltage from the data storage device, the visual display being configured to continue to display the indication that the data storage medium is securely erased after the removal of the operating voltage;

detect data being saved to the data storage medium after determining the data storage device has been securely erased; and

remove the indication from the visual display that the data storage medium has been securely erased upon detecting the data being saved to the data storage medium.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the data storage device is configured to determine that an encryption key securing data stored on the data storage medium has been erased to determine that the data storage medium has been securely erased.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the data storage device further comprises:

the processor executing firmware instructions stored on the data storage medium to control the information being displayed on the visual display.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the visual display is an electronic-paper display configured to display the information associated with the data storage device.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the information associated with the data storage device displayed on the visual display comprises one or more indications of a workload status, a sensor status, an error condition status, an operating hours status, or a temperature status.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a data storage device comprising:

a confirmation code affixed to an enclosure of the data storage device;

a data storage medium configured to store data;

a visual display configured to display an indication that the data storage medium has been securely erased, the indication including a unique code matching a code associated only with the data storage device and no other data storage device, the code indicating the data storage medium is securely erased;

a processor configured to:

cause the indication to be displayed on the visual display upon determining the data storage medium is securely erased;

confirm that the data storage medium is securely erased based at least in part on a determination the confirmation code affixed to the enclosure matches at least a portion of the unique code displayed on the visual display;

detect a removal of an operating voltage from the data storage device, the visual display being configured to continue to display the indication that the data storage medium is securely erased after the removal of the operating voltage;

detect data being saved to the data storage medium after determining the data storage device has been securely erased; and

remove the indication from the visual display that the data storage medium has been securely erased upon detecting the data being saved to the data storage medium.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the data storage device is configured to erase an encryption key to securely erase the data storage medium.