Data verification method and magnetic media therefor

A method of providing for the security of magnetically encoded data on a magnetically recordable media, comprising:

• A. encoding a data representative signal magnetically on the media;
• B. deriving a timing data stream of the inherent timing variations of the magnetically encoded data in combination with the randomly varying effect of the magnetic media by reading the magnetically encoded data;
• C. storing a representation of the timing data stream as an initial jitter signature number;
• D. comparing the timing data stream of a subsequent reading of the magnetically encoded data to the timing data stream generated from the initially stored jitter signature number;
• and,
• E. indicating the results of the comparison.

An apparatus for providing for the security of magnetically encoded data on a magnetically recordable media, comprising:

• a means for magnetically encoding a data representative signal on the media;
• a means for detecting a timing data stream of the inherent timing variations of the magnetically encoded data in combination with the randomly varying effect of the magnetic media by reading the magnetically encoded data signal;
• a means for storing a representation of the timing data stream as an initial jitter signature number;
• a means for comparing the timing data stream of a subsequent reading of the magnetically encoded data to the timing data stream generated from the initially stored jitter signature number;
• and,
• a means for indicating the results of the comparison.