Fujitsu Limited today announced the release of the MHZ2 CJ Series of 320 GB 2.5" hard disk drives with automatic hardware-based encryption.

This series is the first hard disk drive in the world to support the 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The drive implements the AES hardware encryption directly into the processor chip of the hard disk drive, resulting in more robust security and faster system performance than software-based encryption.

All data stored on the hard disk drive can be erased instantly, in less than a second, using the secure erase feature.

Lost or stolen computers with high-capacity hard drives put confidential information at risk, making the need to secure the data stored on those hard drives all the more urgent. The conventional response to this problem has been the use of BIOS passwords and software-based encryption. Seeking a more robust form of data security, Fujitsu has now developed 2.5" hard disk drives with hardware-based AES encryption using industry-leading 256-bit key.

The built-in AES automatically encrypts all data when storing it on the hard disk drive and decrypts the data when read. Unlike software-based encryption, the key does not reside in the computer's memory. This makes it more resistant to attack and imposes no processing overhead on the CPU, optimizing system performance.

The new series MHZ2 of drives also offers a rotational speed of 7200-rpm and a 3.0 Gb/s Serial ATA interface. The products will be available at the end of May 2008.

Specifications:

Encryption: AES 256-bit
Capacity: 80 GB, 120 GB, 160 GB, 250 GB, 320 GB
Interface: SATA 3.0 Gb/s and 1.5 Gb/s (ATA-8, Serial ATA 2.6)
Rotational speed: 7,200 RPM
Average seek time (typ.): 10.5ms (read) 12.5 ms (write)
Data transfer rate: Max 300 MB/s
Buffer size: 16 MB
Shock resistance, during operation: 325 G (2 ms)
Shock resistance, non-operating: 900 G (1 ms)
Voltage: +5 V ± 5%

Noise at idle (typ.): 2.5 bels
Dimensions: 9.5 x 70 x 100 mm
Weight: 115 g or less