Data processing system and method for protecting data in a hard drive utilizing a signature device

A data processing system for protecting data within a hard disk drive included within said data processing system, comprising:

• means for generating data;
• a signature device including a software signature value stored on said signature device, said software signature value being a digital signature of said signature device, said signature device capable of being inserted into and removed from a computer system;
• means for creating a textual description of said data;
• said system having a processor executing code for encrypting said data utilizing both said software signature value stored on said device and said textual description while said signature device is inserted into said computer system;
• and
• said processor executing code for storing said encrypted data on said hard disk drive.

A data processing system for protecting data within a hard disk drive included within said data processing system, comprising:

• means for generating data;
• a signature device including a software signature value stored on said signature device, said signature device capable of being inserted into and removed from a computer system;
• means for creating a textual description of said data;
• said system having a processor executing code for encrypting said data utilizing both said software signature value stored on said device and said textual description;
• said processor executing code for storing said encrypted data on said hard disk drive;
• said processor executing code for signing said textual description utilizing said software signature value;
• said processor executing code for generating a seed value utilizing said signed textual description;
• said processor executing code for generating a temporary DES encryption key utilizing said seed value;
• said processor executing code for encrypting said data utilizing said temporary DES encryption key;
• said processor executing code for signing said textual description utilizing said software signature value;
• said processor executing code for regenerating said seed value utilizing said signed textual description;
• said processor executing code for regenerating said temporary DES encryption key utilizing said seed value;
• said processor executing code for decrypting said data utilizing said temporary DES encryption key.