Storage device and method and for storage device state recovery

A storage device comprising:

• an interface configured to communicate with a host device;
• a memory;
• and
• a controller in communication with the interface and the memory, wherein the controller is configured to:
• commence an authentication process to authenticate a host device, wherein the authentication process comprises a plurality of phases;
• store a state of the authentication process, wherein the state indicates the phase(s) of the authentication process that have been successfully completed;
• after a power loss, receive a recovery command from the host device;
• determine if the recovery command indicates that the host device is a pre-authenticated entity;
• if the storage device determines that the recovery command indicates that the host device is a pre-authenticated entity:
• retrieve the state of the authentication process;
• and
• resume an operation with the host device without re-performing the phase(s) of the authentication process that have been completed;
• and
• if the storage device determines that the recovery command does not indicate that the host device is a pre-authenticated entity, operate in a blocked state that indicates a failure to log in.