Partition Data Protection via External Storage Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
When multiple users share an electronic device, existing data protection methods fail to securely isolate and protect personal data, allowing unauthorized access to shared storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A data protection method that involves capturing and storing a partition entry point and data from a specific user's partition on an external storage device during shutdown, deleting it from the internal storage medium, and verifying its integrity upon boot-up, ensuring only authorized users can access their data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a file security mechanism is provided by an operating system to allow each user to access only part of the data, then user data access control is improved, but the system complexity increases and cannot fully prevent unauthorized access when the electronic device is shared
Solution Approach 1:
The storage medium is divided into multiple partitions, with each partition associated with a specific user. The partition table is segmented to store only entry points rather than full partition data. This segmentation isolates user data at the partition level, preventing users from accessing other users' data while maintaining simple access control through the operating system's file security mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition entry point information is extracted from the partition table and stored separately in a dedicated data structure. This extraction allows the system to manage partition access information independently, reducing the complexity embedded in the traditional partition table while maintaining the ability to control user access to specific partitions.
2Ease of operation
If partition entry point and partition data are stored in the partition table for user access, then data accessibility is improved, but data security deteriorates as other users can potentially access all partitions
Solution Approach 1:
User data is segmented into separate partitions, each with its own entry point stored in the partition table. The partition table structure is segmented to contain only essential access information (entry points) rather than complete partition data. This allows users to easily access their own partitions while the segmented structure prevents access to other users' partitions, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition table acts as an intermediary between the operating system and the actual partition data. It stores only entry points that guide the system to the correct partitions, rather than containing the partition data itself. This intermediary structure enables easy data access through the operating system while maintaining security by not exposing the actual partition boundaries and data locations to unauthorized users.
3Reliability
If hard disk password is set to protect data stored in hard disk, then data security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates as password entry is required each time the computer system is turned on
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single hard disk password protecting the entire storage medium, the system segments protection at the partition level. Each user has access to their own partition without needing to enter a password, as the partition table structure and operating system file security mechanisms provide automatic protection. This segmentation eliminates the need for repeated password entry while maintaining security through partition isolation.
4Quantity of substance
If all personal data of multiple users is stored in the hard disk of the computer system, then storage efficiency is improved, but data security deteriorates as users can access each other's data
Solution Approach 1:
The storage medium is segmented into multiple partitions, with each partition dedicated to a specific user's data. The partition table stores entry points for each partition, enabling the operating system to efficiently manage and access user data while maintaining physical separation between users' data. This segmentation allows all user data to be stored on the same hard disk (maintaining storage efficiency) while preventing users from accessing each other's partitions (maintaining data security).
Data Source
AI summary
A data protection method for an electronic device having a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium includes a plurality of partitions and a partition table. In the data protection method, a partition entry point and a partition data corresponding to the specific partition are captured and sent to an external storage device when the electronic device enters a shutdown process. Then, the partition entry point is deleted from the partition table and the partition data is removed from the storage medium. When the electronic device is turned on, a user has to provide the corresponding external storage device to restore the partition entry point and the partition data back to the storage medium. Thereby, personal data stored in the storage medium is protected and accordingly data security is ensured.