White Papers

12 Dell PS Series Architecture: Self Encrypting Drive Management with PS Series Storage Arrays | TR1093
4 Summary
As demonstrated, AutoSED technology and PS Series arrays provide a robust data-at-rest security solution.
This solution further ensures that the provided enterprise level data security is easy to use and fully
automatic, requiring no user interaction. In addition, AutoSED injects no performance degradation in storage
operations.
Key components of the solution
Solution
Component
Description
Benefit
Self-encrypting
drives (SED)
Storage devices with
embedded cryptographic
electronics which
encrypt/decrypt data on
the drive
Data is cryptographically secured and cannot be read by
unauthorized individuals. Always on and has no
performance impact on drive I/O operations
PS Series
AutoSED Key
Management
AutoSED is embedded
software in PS Series
firmware which provides
SED access key
management
Fully automatic and requires no intervention from PS
Series customers. Works from the moment a SED array is
powered on. All key management functions are performed
in the background transparently and automatically
PS Series
AutoSED Instant
Secure Erase
AutoSED is embedded
software in PS Series
firmware which provides
SED instant secure erase
functionality
Fully automatic and requires no intervention from the
customer. The SED ISE function is performed
automatically whenever member is reset, for example,
when it is removed from a group. The ISE function is also
used when a failing drive is removed from service before
failure occurs, or when a good SED drive is moved from
one array to another. This eliminates the risk of data being
inadvertently exposed when a drive is returned under
warranty or repurposed