IEEE sets standard for USB drive authentication

 

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By Simon Aughton

Posted on 17 Jan 2007 at 09:33

The IEEE has approved a new standard for the authentication of USB flash drives and other personal storage devices.

The standard, IEEE 1667 'Standard Protocol for Authentication in Host Attachments of Transient Storage Devices', was developed to address information security concerns. Specifically, defining uniform authentication methods to validate devices when they are connected to a computer. The standard will enable manufacturers to build the authentication system into the flash memory chips deployed in these devices.

'Enterprises are now beginning to require authentication of devices before mounting by a host is permitted,' the IEEE 1667 Working Group explained. 'No standard way of accomplishing that authentication exists for these devices. This standard will act to insure the security of the enterprise using these devices while allowing a continued robust market and a convenient method of transporting information for the user.'

The full standard will be available from the IEEE Standards Association.