IBM sells hardware-based encryption tool
By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:59:00 09/27/2008
Filed Under: Technology (general), Hardware
MANILA, Philippines -- IBM is selling a hardware-based encryption tool targeting end-users with limited physical resources to store servers in data centers.
This new technology, however, is designed for IBM System X servers. IBM's System X VAULT adapter designates a security key (or password) and encrypts data in the internal hard drive. Without this security key, data cannot be retrieved from the physical drive or from the server.
According to IBM, the technology is similar to that used by government agencies abroad. Locally, IBM is marketing System X to smaller companies that may not have dedicated server rooms.
The IBM System X VAULT adapter sells for $1,000 through local partners. IBM claims it is the industry's first hardware-based encryption tool to secure data on a server's hard drive.
All hard drives are eventually disposed of when servers reach their end-of-life cycle, but, according to IBM, it is virtually impossible to erase all data from the drive so it's irretrievable.
The VAULT adapter locks the data so it can't be unencrypted without the proper key, eliminating the cost of disposing of a hard drive or enabling it for resale into a secondary channel, IBM said.
IBM cited a recent security incident wherein a computer, which contained the banking security details of more than a million customers, was sold on eBay for around $80.
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