Patent · US Active

Selective I/O to logical unit when encrypted, but key is not available or when encryption status is unknown

US8166314B1 · kind B1 · utility

54Cited by
56References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 30, 2008
Grant dateApr 24, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 13, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F21/78
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method is provided for controlling I/O request access to an encrypted storage device when the encryption key for the encrypted storage device is not available. The method comprises the unordered steps of: providing an I/O filter driver in operable communication with an encrypted storage device, such that all I/O requests to the encrypted storage device are processed first through the I/O filter driver; receiving at the I/O filter driver an I/O request to the encrypted storage device; determining, for each I/O request, the type of the I/O request and, if the I/O request comprises a read, SCSI read, write, or SCSI write, determining a location on the storage device to which the I/O request is directed; determining, in a processor, whether a time period for obtaining the encryption key is still running; and, based on at least one of the I/O request type, whether the time period for obtaining the encryption key is still running, and, if applicable, the location on the device to which the I/O is requested, determining, in a processor, whether the I/O request to the encrypted storage device will be allowed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.