Portable storage device for providing secure and mobile information

A portable personal data device, comprising:

• a storage element, a radio frequency transceiver, and a state machine suitable for implementing a wireless protocol enabling transmission and receipt of data via the transceiver, wherein the storage element includes desktop data personal to a corresponding user and wherein the personal data device is configured to transmit, via the transceiver, a wireless signal identifying the personal data device;
• means for verifying host information received wirelessly from the host that identifies the host to the portable processing device;
• and
• responsive to verifying the host, means for enabling the host to access the desktop data wirelessly.

A workstation suitable for use with at least one personal data device, the workstation including at least one processor connected to a volatile system memory and further comprising:

• a transceiver suitable for receiving a wireless signal transmitted by one of the personal data devices and further suitable for determining information contained in the signal identifying the corresponding personal data device;
• means for securely accessing a database containing an entry for each of the at least one personal data devices, wherein each entry includes personal data device identification and password information;
• means for determining if the wireless signal is being transmitted by a recognized personal data device;
• responsive to recognizing the personal data device, means for authorizing a connection between the personal data device and the workstation;
• responsive to successfully authorizing the connection, means for wirelessly accessing the personal data stored on the personal data device to enable the user to access the personal data via the workstation.