Peripheral device with integrated security functionality

A peripheral device, comprising:

• security means for enabling one or more security operations to be performed on data;
• target means for enabling a defined interaction with a host computing device;
• means for enabling communication between the security means and the target means,
• means for enabling communication with a host computing device;
• means for operably connecting the security means and/or the target means to the host computing device in response to an instruction from the host computing device;
• and
• means for providing to a host computing device, in response to a request from the host computing device for information regarding the type of the peripheral device, information regarding the function of the target means.

A peripheral device, comprising:

• security means for enabling one or more security operations to be performed on data;
• target means for enabling a defined interaction with a host computing device;
• means for enabling communication between the security means and the target means;
• means for enabling communication with a host computing device;
• and
• means for mediating communication of data between the host computing device and the target means so that the communicated data must first pass through the security means.

A peripheral device, comprising:

• security means for enabling one or more security operations to be performed on data;
• target means for enabling a defined interaction with a host computing device;
• means for enabling communication between the security means and the target means;
• means for enabling communication with a host computing device;
• means for mediating communication of data between the host computing device and the target means so that the communicated data must first pass through the security means;
• and
• means for providing to a host computing device, in response to a request from the host computing device for information regarding the type of the peripheral device, information regarding the function of the target means.

A peripheral device, comprising:

• security means for enabling one or more security operations to be performed on data;
• target means for enabling a defined interaction with a host computing device;
• means for enabling communication between the security means and the target means;
• means for enabling communication with a host computing device;
• and
• means for providing to a host computing device, in response to a request from the host computing device for information regarding the type of the peripheral device, information regarding the function of the target.

A data security system, comprising:

• a host computing device including one or more device interfaces adapted to enable communication with another device;
• a peripheral device, comprising:
• security means for enabling one or more security operations to be performed on data;
• target means for enabling a defined interaction with a host computing device;
• and
• means for enabling communication between the security means and the target means;
• means for enabling communication with a host computing device;
• and
• means for mediating communication of data between the host computing device and the target means so that the communicated data must first pass through the security means.

A data security system, comprising:

• a host computing device including one or more device interfaces adapted to enable communication with another device;
• a peripheral device, comprising:
• security means for enabling one or more security operations to be performed on data;
• target means for enabling a defined interaction with a host computing device;
• and
• means for enabling communication between the security means and the target means;
• means for enabling communication with a host computing device;
• and
• means for providing to a host computing device, in response to a request from the host computing device for information regarding the type of the peripheral device, information regarding the function of the target means.

For use in a peripheral device adapted for communication with a host computing device, performance of one or more security operations on data, and interaction with a host computing device in a defined way, a method comprising the steps of:

• communicating with the host computing device to exchange data between the host computing device and the peripheral device;
• performing one or more security operations and the defined interaction on the exchanged data;
• and
• mediating communication of the exchanged data between the host computing device and the peripheral device so that the exchanged data must first sass through means for performing the one or more security operations.