A step forward in data security: Toshiba today announced what it claims to be the world’s first technology that makes it possible to automatically wipe sensitive data from self-encrypting drives when a system is powered down or the HDD is removed from the system. Dubbed Wipe, the solution automatically invalidates the security key that was used to encrypt the stored user data.

Toshiba is especially aiming at users of printers and photocopiers that have storage devices on board. The goal is to make it easier and safer for IT departments in companies to protect sensitive data every time these devices get scrapped, sold, re-purposed or when they are being returned after the leasing period is over.

Wipe will first arrive in Toshiba’s upcoming 2.5″ 7200rpm SED HDD model, which was announced last month.