Freecom adds RFID to HDD
Innovative feature or unnecessary security?
Freecom has launched an external HDD that will only grant you access to its data if you’re the bearer of the keycard.
Freecom's Hard Drive Secure: controlled using an RFID card
Admission to the Hard Drive Secure is controlled by an RFID card which you swipe once over the HDD to lock it and again to unlock it. Entry is granted “within seconds”, Freecom claimed, and the drive comes with two RFID cards – in case you lose the first or want to grant a chum access to your disk.
The idea may sound innovative, but some may argue that Freecom’s just adding an unnecessary layer of complexity to data security. Drives with fingerprint readers have been around for a while - none coming with the risk you might lose your access card.
Freecom’s Hard Drive Secure is available now in four capacities, ranging from 500GB to 2TB. Prices start at €120 (£103/$166). ®
COMMENTS
Just in case: sellotape it to the top (or better) underside of the drive.
So it won't be long until I turn up at a company, and the card sellotaped the the top of the drive for 'safe keeping', in the same way every Car Stereo faceplate ends up in the glovebox.
So is this
a drive with custom electronics to ensure that, short of removing the platters, the data remains safe? Or is this an RFID reader which, once triggered by the correct RFID card, flicks a few relays or transistor switches to physically connect the USB port on the box to the drive?
'cos if it's the second one then- like someone's said above- it can be defeated by a screwdriver. Which makes it pretty pointless. Nick it and- oh noes!- there's a 5, 10 minute period where you can't get at the data!
Alternatively, I guess it could encrypt the data somehow? RFID card provides the decryption key?
Also, isn't RFID pretty easy to pick up using a PDA or standalone kit?
@Alan 6
That is sensible start, but when will they be able to check that you are conscious? or if you have a gun to your head / knife to your neck?
I think I'd still rather risk losing card than risk a determined crim requiring me or part of me to carry out the crime.
Not that I have any infomation that would be would be worth committing those sorts of crimes over!
Hmm..
Surely simply having the card on your person would be a better system, similar to immobiliser/tracker systems in more exotic cars...
The first post is valid though, how secure actually is it, could you just hook up the drive to a Lunix/Mac OS and access it freely at root level?
