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7.0
About self-encrypting drives
Self-encrypting drives (SEDs) offer encryption and security services for the protection of stored data, commonly known as "protection of data at
rest. " These drives are compliant with the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) Enterprise Storage Specifications as detailed in Section 2.7.
The Trusted Computing Group (TCG) is an organization sponsored and operated by companies in the computer, storage and digital
communications industry. Seagate's SED models comply with the standards published by the TCG.
To use the security features in the drive, the host must be capable of constructing and issuing the following two SCSI commands:
• Security Protocol Out
• Security Protocol In
These commands are used to convey the TCG protocol to and from the drive in their command payloads.
7.1
Data encryption
Encrypting drives use one inline encryption engine for each port, employing AES-256 bit data encryption in AES-XTS mode to encrypt all data prior
to being written on the media and to decrypt all data as it is read from the media. The encryption engines are always in operation and cannot be
disabled.
The 32-byte Data Encryption Key (DEK) is a random number which is generated by the drive, never leaves the drive, and is inaccessible to the host
system. The DEK is itself encrypted when it is stored on the media and when it is in volatile temporary storage (DRAM) external to the encryption
engine. A unique data encryption key is used for each of the drive's possible16 data bands (see Section 7.5).
7.2
Controlled access
The drive has two security providers (SPs) called the "Admin SP" and the "Locking SP." These act as gatekeepers to the drive security services.
Security-related commands will not be accepted unless they also supply the correct credentials to prove the requester is authorized to perform the
command.
7.2.1
Admin SP
The Admin SP allows the drive's owner to enable or disable firmware download operations (see Section 7.4). Access to the Admin SP is available
using the SID (Secure ID) password or the MSID (Manufacturers Secure ID) password.
7.2.2
Locking SP
The Locking SP controls read/write access to the media and the cryptographic erase feature. Access to the Locking SP is available using the
BandMasterX or EraseMaster passwords. Since the drive owner can define up to 16 data bands on the drive, each data band has its own password
called BandMasterX where X is the number of the data band (0 through 15).
7.2.3
Default password
When the drive is shipped from the factory, all passwords are set to the value of MSID. This 32-byte random value can only be read by the host
electronically over the interface. After receipt of the drive, it is the responsibility of the owner to use the default MSID password as the authority to
change all other passwords to unique owner-specified values.
7.3
Random number generator (RNG)
The drive has a 32-byte hardware RNG that it is uses to derive encryption keys or, if requested to do so, to provide random numbers to the host for
system use, including using these numbers as Authentication Keys (passwords) for the drive's Admin and Locking SPs.
7.4
Drive locking
In addition to changing the passwords, as described in Section 7.2.3, the owner should also set the data access controls for the individual bands.
The variable "LockOnReset" should be set to "PowerCycle" to ensure that the data bands will be locked if power is lost. In addition
"ReadLockEnabled" and "WriteLockEnabled" must be set to true in the locking table in order for the bands "LockOnReset" setting of "PowerCycle" to
actually lock access to the band when a "PowerCycle" event occurs. This scenario occurs if the drive is removed from its cabinet. The drive will not
honor any data read or write requests until the bands have been unlocked. This prevents the user data from being accessed without the appropriate
credentials when the drive has been removed from its cabinet and installed in another system.
When the drive is shipped from the factory, the firmware download port is unlocked.
Seagate Exos 7E8 SAS Product Manual, Rev.A
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