Robust antivirus solutions and security software are designed to detect already-known malware & viruses. The utility dedicatedly analyzes every program’s behavior to find potentially illicit behavior patterns and eliminate them to safeguard your device. But custom & new ransomware can remain undetected by these privacy tools, leaving devices open to attack & further damage.
Hence, it makes perfect sense to develop something that helps users to safeguard data at the hardware level. Thankfully, cybersecurity leaders Cigent Technology in collaboration with Phison has come out of the shadows and announced its breakthrough Cignet Data Defense Plan.
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The First Self-Defending SSD To Reshape The Cybersecurity World
Cignet Secure SSD, the first of its kind self-defending storage device with mechanisms built directly into the firmware. The SSD works with a Dynamic Data Defence Engine (D3E) software, which establishes a “Zero Trust Multi-Factor Authentication” layer to data stored on Windows 10 Operating Systems. According to Cignet, the company has taken this approach to protect companies and individual users from Ransomware attacks, Data Theft, and Malicious Insider attacks, and putting an end to 30 years of failure by the cybersecurity industry. While it’s a bold statement to make, it’s certainly acceptable, since ransomware attacks are significantly rising.
The company embedded the D3E (security software) in its Aspen, K2, and Denali Secure SSDs. The Windows-based agent works with Phison’s E12DC-Crypto-SSD controller firmware. This solid combination offers solid malware/virus detection to protect against Ransomware and other growing threats.
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How Cignet’s Self-Defending SSD Works?
As soon as any threat is detected, Cignet’s Solid-State-Drive (SSD) encrypts and hides sensitive and confidential data entirely from the OS in ‘safe rooms’. Alternatively, these drives work in a Dual Mode that divides itself into separate private and non-private storage which becomes invisible to one another and adversaries as well. Not only this, Cignet’s SSDs are equipped with robust attack detectors and sensors to provide ‘holistic data protection with security built-in’ against all kinds of ID Theft, Physical Theft, and more.
Worst case scenario? Its “KeepAlive Heartbeat” arrangement instantly encrypts the data stored in the drive, in case D3E software stops working due to any reason.
In addition to this, these SSDs will support machine learning-based data protection by the end of this year. Cignet further expressed “Software-only security is often easily bypassed, but our multi-patented, multi-layered self-defending storage can make critical data completely inaccessible and invisible to adversaries, giving customers peace of mind that their sensitive data and digital assets are safely stored and protected.”
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What All Cignet’s SSD Has To Offer?
That’s how the self-defending storage device will help users to secure data & prevent thefts.
1. Protected Drive
Once you have successfully set up the hardware-encrypted ‘Safe Rooms’, all the stored files become inaccessible to hackers and other unauthorized parties. They disappear completely and can only be visible after it gets mounted by the designated user via a step-up authentication process.
2. Built-In Ransomware Detection
The company has integrated a dedicated security processor which works on Machine Learning technology to locate and repel all kinds of attacks, including Ransomware. SSDs employ Zero-Trust Multi-Factor Authentication for data access.
3. Dual Mode To Hide Data
The D3E in-built software in the SSD helps users to set up a hidden drive that remains invisible to everyone until the designated user applies the multifactor authentication correctly. Using the Dual Mode, you can simply segregate your computer into two different partitions for Work and Personal use.
4. FIPS 140-2 Level 2
The SSD features useful functionalities to display any evidence of any tampering with data. This is certainly exclusive to the U.S Government and Military.
5. Supports Systems With BitLocker Full-Disk Encryption
Cignet’s SSD can be effortlessly installed on computers that support BitLocker Full-Disk Encryption. The company takes a granular privacy approach for such users, which makes all the confidential and sensitive files accessible for a limited period and only appear on a need-basis for a trusted user.
These features are subjected to SSDs with & without D3E software (premium version). You can refer to the screenshot below to know about the features brought by Cignet’s Self-Defending Storage Devices. And, in case you want to dig deeper about these functionalities.
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Who Will Be Able To Take The Advantage Of This Innovation?
Well, earlier selected government agencies, the U.S. Army were using Cignet’s Secure SSDs. However, it will be available to layman users as well in Summer 2021. These drives can be easily installed as primary internal Windows PC storage, as secondary internal storage, or can be used as external media plugged into a USB port.
It will be available in three different sizes – 480 GB, 1 TB & 2 TB. Just have a look at Cignet Secure SSD Technical Specifications.
So, what are your views about this breakthrough? Will it be a significant step for improving data privacy and repelling Ransomware? Share your opinion in the comments below!