Adaptive Media Sanitisation for Secure Storage Reuse

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage devices pose a risk of data recovery despite secure deletion, necessitating a safe and reliable media sanitization system to ensure data irretrievability.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented media sanitization method that automatically determines and executes a data sanitization method based on device characterization parameters, including health status checks and security layer compatibility, to render data unrecoverable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automatic media sanitization is implemented, then data security and reliability are improved, but device compatibility and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-characterization by automatically detecting storage device parameters, security layer compatibility, and health status without requiring manual intervention. The sanitization module autonomously selects and executes appropriate sanitization methods based on detected device properties, eliminating the need for users to configure complex settings while maintaining high reliability through automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts sanitization parameters and methods based on detected device characteristics. By characterizing the target device and adjusting sanitization approaches according to specific device parameters, security layers, and health status, the system resolves the contradiction by making complexity management automatic rather than static

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive device characterization is performed, then sanitization accuracy is improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesanitization accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs device characterization and health status assessment before executing sanitization operations. By pre-detecting storage device parameters, security layer compatibility, and potential issues, the system prepares the optimal sanitization approach in advance, ensuring accurate treatment while minimizing actual sanitization time through pre-planned methodology selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses detected device characteristics and health status as feedback to automatically select appropriate sanitization methods. This closed-loop approach ensures high sanitization accuracy by matching methods to specific device conditions while optimizing processing time through intelligent decision-making based on real-time device feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If health status verification is implemented, then data irretrievability is improved, but device rejection rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata irretrievabilityVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system adjusts its approach based on detected device parameters and health status. By characterizing each device and selecting sanitization methods appropriate to its specific condition, the system maintains high data irretrievability for suitable devices while preserving compatibility with a broad range of storage devices through adaptive parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4610862A1Media sanitisation system and method
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 DATA SAFE SOLUTIONS LTD
  • EP4610862A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4610862A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4610862A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed is a computer-implemented media sanitisation method for automatically sanitising a computer-readable storage medium, the method, comprising: establishing a communications link between a target device and a media sanitisation module, wherein the target device includes a target computer-readable storage medium; sending, using the communications link, target device characterisation parameters from the target device to the media sanitisation module; automatically determining, at the media sanitisation module, a data sanitisation method associated with the target device characterisation parameters; automatically sending, using the communications link, an indication of the data sanitisation method from the media sanitisation module to the target device; and automatically executing, at the target device, the data sanitisation method to sanitise the target computer-readable storage medium.