Information leak-preventing apparatus, and information leak-preventing method

Abstract

A command processing unit outputs a format command to an HDD. While the HDD is being formatted, a format-error causing unit outputs a reset command to the HDD. The reset command causes abnormal end of the formatting of the HDD, which makes reading of data from the HDD impossible.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to techniques for preventing information leakage from storage media. Background technique

[0002] In recent years, it is very common to store confidential industrial or personal information in various storage media such as hard disk drives (HDDs). Therefore, it is unavoidable to need to prevent leakage of information from storage media. There is a real need for an arrangement in which data stored in a storage medium cannot be read by a third person when the storage medium is disposed of or sent for repair.

[0003] Initializing (formatting) or overwriting meaningless data is an effective way to make data stored in a storage medium unreadable. However, the time required for formatting or rewriting differs significantly depending on the capacity or writing speed of the storage medium. For example, in a magnetic device such as an HDD, the time required for full rewriting is about 1 hour / 100GB.

[0004] Also, as...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the outline and configuration of an information leakage prevention device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information leakage prevention device 1 is connected to a hard disk drive (HDD) 2 and includes a main control unit 11 , a user interface 12 , an HDD connection unit 13 and a power supply unit 14 .

[0018] The power supply unit 14 supplies operating power to the HDD 2 and is physically connected to the HDD 2 through cables.

[0019] The main control unit 11 controls the entire information leakage prevention device 1, and includes a command processing unit 11a and a formatting error generating unit 11b. The command processing unit 11a issues a format command to format the HDD 2, a reset command to interrupt the processing of the HDD 2, a read command to read ...

technical field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to techniques for preventing information leakage from storage media. Background technique

[0002] In recent years, it is very common to store confidential industrial or personal information in various storage media such as hard disk drives (HDDs). Therefore, it is unavoidable to need to prevent leakage of information from storage media. There is a real need for an arrangement in which data stored in a storage medium cannot be read by a third person when the storage medium is disposed of or sent for repair.

[0003] Initializing (formatting) or overwriting meaningless data is an effective way to make data stored in a storage medium unreadable. However, the time required for formatting or rewriting differs significantly depending on the capacity or writing speed of the storage medium. For example, in a magnetic device such as an HDD, the time required for full rewriting is about 1 hour / 100GB.

[0004] Also, as...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the outline and configuration of an information leakage prevention device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information leakage prevention device 1 is connected to a hard disk drive (HDD) 2 and includes a main control unit 11 , a user interface 12 , an HDD connection unit 13 and a power supply unit 14 .

[0018] The power supply unit 14 supplies operating power to the HDD 2 and is physically connected to the HDD 2 through cables.

[0019] The main control unit 11 controls the entire information leakage prevention device 1, and includes a command processing unit 11a and a formatting error generating unit 11b. The command processing unit 11a issues a format command to format the HDD 2, a reset command to interrupt the processing of the HDD 2, a read command to read ...

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