Memory partitioned data storage device

A method for securing user content data of a data storage device, the method executed by a controller of the device and comprising:

• (i) determining an actuation of a switch of the data storage device;
• (ii) in response to the actuation of the switch, causing a transition of the data storage device between:
• a secure mode;
• and a non-secure mode,
• wherein the user content data is stored within a non-volatile storage medium of the data storage device, the storage medium organized as one or more partitions including at least one secure partition, and wherein each of the one or more partitions is defined by a corresponding set of pre-specified physical memory blocks of the storage medium, and
• wherein:
• in the secure mode, the set of physical memory blocks of each secure partition is connected to the host via a data path providing data communication between a host computer system and the storage medium of the data storage device;
• and
• in the non-secure mode, the set of physical memory blocks of each secure partition is disconnected from the host via the data path.

A data storage device comprising:

• means for storing user data, wherein the means for storing data is organized as one or more partitions, the partitions including at least one secure partition, and wherein each of the one or more partitions is defined by a corresponding set of pre-specified physical memory blocks of the means for storing data;
• means for providing data communication between a host computer system and the means for storing user data of the data storage device;
• means for switching;
• means for selectively transitioning the data storage device between:
• a secure mode in which the set of physical memory blocks of each secure partition is connected to the host via the means for providing data communication;
• and a non-secure mode in which the set of physical memory blocks of each secure partition is disconnected from the host via the means for providing data communication,
• wherein the selective transitioning of the data storage device occurs in response to an actuation of the means for switching.