Method and device for data storage device user authentication

A method for transmitting data from a data storage device, the data storage device comprising:

• a non-volatile storage medium, the storage medium comprising at least a first logical unit configured to store encrypted user data associated with a first user;
• and
• a data port configured to receive and transmit data between a host computer system and the data storage device;
• the method comprising:
• receiving, via the data port, authentication information indicating the first user;
• and
• in response to determining, based on the authentication information, that the first user is authorized to access the first logical unit;
• transmitting, via the data port, a logical unit number associated with the first logical unit;
• and
• in response to receiving, via the data port, a read request, the read request comprising a request to read the encrypted user data stored in the first logical unit:
• decrypting the encrypted user data to produce plaintext user data;
• and
• transmitting, via the data port, the plaintext user data.

A device for transmitting data from a data storage device, the device comprising:

• means to receive authentication information indicating a first user;
• and
• means to, in response to determining, based on the authentication information, that the first user is authorized to access a first logical unit:
• transmit a logical unit number associated with the first logical unit;
• and
• in response to receiving a read request, the read request comprising a request to read the encrypted user data stored in the first logical unit:
• decrypt the encrypted user data to produce plaintext user data;
• and
• transmit, via the data port, the plaintext user data.