Toshiba HDD Destroys Content Automatically When Connected To Unknown PC

Toshiba announced [PDF] it has developed a series of self-decrypting hard drives that automatically destroy their content when connected to an unknown piece of hardware. The company says it’s the first to make it possible to configure such devices, for example to invalidate protected data by command or on power cycle.

Not too surprisingly, the main target group are financial, governmental and medical institutions with a need to protect data stored in hard drives in PCs, copy machines, printers and other hardware.

Toshiba will offer the 2.5-inch/7,200rpm “Wipe Technology HDD” with 160/250/320/500 and 640GB (pictured) on board in June this year (the first samples will be shipped later this month).