HP unveils encryption add-ons for storage products

HP to protect data on tape drives, virtual tapes

By Ellen Messmer, Network World, 04/04/08

HP Monday is unveiling add-ons for its storage products that enable automated encryption of data stored on tape drives and virtual tape libraries.

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The company is adding encryption support for its MDS 9000 family with what it calls the HP C-Series MDS Storage Media Encryption (SME) fabric switch. (Compare Storage Security products.)

"This is symmetric-key encryption," says Gary Lefkowitz, director of the HP Secure Advantage division. "You can create a key per tape, while inserting controls as a way to protect resources."

Beyond HP, other makers of tape libraries (such as IBM and Spectra Logic) are adding encryption to their products, says Deni Connor, analyst at Austin, Texas-based Storage Strategies Now. "Regulations are calling for it, and managers should consider it essential," she says.

The MDS 9222i switch with SME is available now, priced at $83,500.

In addition, HP has developed an encryption add-on kit that lets small-to-midsize businesses protect data stored by the HP 1/8 G2 Tape Autoloader and MSL Tape Libraries with LTO-4 tape technology. The HP StorageWorks 1/8 G2 & MSL LTO-4 Encryption Kit generates and retains encryption keys; it is expected to be available in June, priced at $2,500.

HP also has added an appliance that stores records about encryption-key use to its HP Compliance Log Warehouse (CLW) for LTO-4 enterprise tape libraries. The CLW, which generates reports for audit-trail purposes through a central log collection and retention method, now stores information about encryption-key use through a dedicated key-management appliance called HP StorageWorks Secure Key Manager.

The Secure Key Manager costs $100,000; the CLW starts at less than $125,000. Both are available.

HP also is making available an online tool called Storage Security Assessment, which lets customers gauge storage and security needs through a question-and-answer evaluation. HP's Consulting & Integration Security and Risk Management Practice developed the tool.

In other security news from HP, the company says its HP-UX 11i operating system has received the Common Criteria certification for the EAL4 assurance level, related to the controlled-access and role-based access-control protection profiles.