Library-based tape encryption

In the highly competitive microprocessor market, protecting intellectual property is a serious concern, especially when sensitive data goes to an off-site storage facility.

At Advanced Micro Devices Inc.'s Longmont Design Center, IS manager Tom Dixon has been evaluating the beta version of Spectra Logic Corp. 's BlueScale environment for three months. Spectra Logic is one of two library tape vendors that have recently incorporated security into tape drive and tape library hardware. Quantum Corp.'s proprietary DLTsage architecture also offers a tape security feature at the drive level.

"Library-based encryption is a good idea for firms that need to lower the risk associated with sending tapes off-site," wrote analyst Galen Schreck in a January report for Forrester Research Inc.

The Spectra Logic product performs data encryption within the library using an enhanced version of its Quad Interface Processor board. Three months into his evaluation, Dixon says the hardware was "fairly easy" to set up. "You don't have to do anything on the host," he says. "They set up the library, and you set up your keys. That's the biggest headaches. We haven't even talked about that yet."