Tech Primer

Trusted storage

What is trusted storage?

Trusted storage is a concept initiated by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) with its root in the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). TCG was the first to go ahead with the TPM methodology, and now even Lenovo ThinkPads are using TPM. A preliminary framework for the trusted storage has been proposed by the TCG.

The TCG, founded by Microsoft, AMD, HP, IBM, Infineon, Intel and Sun in 2003, has come out with ‘Trusted Storage specifications’ that will make your data more secure. These hard drives use encryption as a tool to protect user data.

What are trusted hard drives?

The hard drives which use trusted storage technology are called ‘trusted hard drives.’ These hard drives will have ‘trusted storage units,’ specific parts of the hard drive where the read and write access is only for those approved applications. Access rights are stored in a partition in the hard disc, where it will store keys and tables which define access rights. The trusted partition will be hidden in nature and it will be stored on memory and logic chips, not in the disc structure. TPM contains a small micro-controller which stores the keys and is needed to decrypt the user data. The user needs to identify himself using a smart card, password or biometric reader, or a combination of the three processes. Once the user has been identified, access permission is granted. In order to access the stored data, the TPM needs to communicate with a trusted storage device. It can either be a hard drive or a flash memory. The drive itself can be encrypted, depending on security issues.

Who benefits?

Parts of the hard disc can be made impermeable to external access via the trusted storage concept. Corporate authorisation can be done on secure areas of the removable hard discs. In case of the loss of the hard disc, the authorisation keys could be revoked thus preventing data access by external bodies. Since hard discs could be made access-controlled and read-write access could be managed, viruses and worms will find it a bit difficult to encroach the protected area. This is where the trusted storage concept is going to score as much of the damage caused to enterprises comes in the form of viruses and worms. Drives of all types, like hard drives, optical drives, flash drives and tape drives, can be made trustworthy using the trusted storage technology.

For further information see
www.trustedcomputinggroup.org
— Toms Mathew