Secure Storage Devices, Authentication Devices, and Methods Thereof

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

a first interface configured to connect to a provided non-volatile storage device; and

circuitry configured to supply an encryption key over the first interface to decrypt data on the provided non-volatile storage device,

wherein the first interface is configured to connect directly to the provided non-volatile storage device.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a memory configured to store a key or an encrypted key, wherein the key or the encrypted key is supplied as the encryption key.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

an additional interface configured to connect to at least one of a provided keyboard or a provided biometric device.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry of the apparatus is further configured to receive a password from an additional interface and at least one of supply the encryption key based on the received password or supply the password to the provided non-volatile storage device.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

an erase element, wherein the erase element is configured to trigger the provided non-volatile storage device to erase itself when the erase element is inserted directly into the provided non-volatile storage device.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second interface comprising a serial port.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one light emitting diode or a display configured to indicate a status of the apparatus.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the status of the apparatus comprises a status of at least one of a password, a key and entered data.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one of a radio frequency receiver and a global positioning system device, wherein the apparatus is configured to further authenticate based on detecting a specific radio frequency signal or physical location.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a removable battery configured to erase a key stored in the apparatus by powering off the apparatus when removed.

11 . A system, comprising:

a non-volatile storage device comprising a first interface to a provided host computer and a second interface away from the provided host computer;

a crypto key device comprising a third interface configured to connect to the second interface of the non-volatile storage device and circuitry configured to supply an encryption key over the third interface to decrypt data on the non-volatile storage device,

wherein the third interface is configured to connect directly to the second interface.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the circuitry of the crypto key device is further configured to receive a password from an additional interface and supply the encryption key based on the received password.

13 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising:

at least one of a keyboard or a biometric device, wherein the at least one of the keyboard or the biometric device is configured to connect to the crypto key device at a fourth interface.

14 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising:

a key fill device, wherein the key fill device is configured to at least one of connect to the crypto key device at a fourth interface or connect to the non-volatile storage device at the second interface.

15 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising:

an erase element, wherein the erase element is configured to trigger the non-volatile storage device to erase itself and/or erase encryption keys when the erase element is inserted directly into the non-volatile storage device.

16 . The systems of claim 11 , wherein the non-volatile storage device is configured to use a laptop bay of a removable compact disk or digital versatile disk drive.

17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the non-volatile storage device is configured to perform encryption and multi-factor authentication.

18 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the non-volatile storage device is configured to perform authentication without intervention or interaction of the provided host computer.

19 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the non-volatile storage device comprises a solid state drive.

20 . The system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the second interface or the third interface comprises a serial port.

21 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the crypto key device further comprises at least one light emitting diode or display configured to indicate a status of the crypto key device.

22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the status of the crypto key device comprises a status of at least one of a password, a key, or entered data.

23 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the crypto key device further comprises a radio frequency receiver or a global positioning system device, wherein the crypto key device is configured to further authenticate based on detecting a specific radio frequency signal or physical location.

24 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising:

a fixed circuit provided electrically between the non-volatile storage device and the host computer, wherein the fixed circuit is configured to be detectable by the non-volatile storage device.

25 . A method, comprising:

powering on a secure storage device using a host computer; and

authenticating access to the secure storage device using at least one key,

wherein the authenticating bypasses an operating system and a basic input/output system of the host computer.

26 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising:

providing at least one key to the secure storage device from a crypto-key device connected directly to the secure storage device.

27 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising:

destroying or permanently disabling the secure storage device by inserting a magnetic erase stick into a port configured to receive the magnetic erase stick, wherein the port is configured to be in close proximity to magnetic random access memory of the secure storage device.