SecureDrives’ self-destruct when triggered via SMS text message

Fit for a British spy, the UK-based SecureDrives has announced a range of solid state disk (SSD) drives that will self-destruct when triggered remotely via SMS text message.

The drives function normally with automated 256-bit self-encryption, but the user has the ability to wipe any stored data via a simple SMS, should the drive be lost or fall into the wrong hands.

The Autothysis128s and Autothysis128t drives can be used as either internal hard drives via a SATA2 interface or as external drives connected via USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. Data can also be destroyed by removing the drive from a PC, by low battery level or if the signal received by its built-in GSM receiver goes quiet for too long.

Entering a PIN code via the separate Token incorrectly a set number of times will also cause the device to self-destruct.

According to the SecureDrives website data is not merely deleted, but rendered entire inaccessible via “patented technology designed to fragment the NAND Flash along with the security controller to impede any data recovery technique that might be applied in an attempt to gain access to the encrypted data.”

Aimed at corporate and government clients, the drives boast Micron 20nm NAND Flash storage with the ability to carry out random 4KB reads and writes at up to 20,000 IOPS. Both SSD drives are also available in 64GB and 128GB versions.

SecureDrives states that its Autothysis drives conform to more than 100 country-specific data protection laws.

Priced at around $1600, excluding an annual Global System for Mobile (GSM) subscription, these drives are not cheap. If you have the kind of information that warrants this level of security, it may well be worth the price.

Image courtesy SecureDrives