Patent ID: 8166314

Claim:
A method of controlling access to an encrypted storage device configured to be in operable communication with a computer system, the encrypted storage device capable of being in a state, the method comprising the unordered steps of: (a) receiving an input/output (I/O) request directed to the encrypted storage device; (b) checking whether the encryption key for the encrypted storage device is available; (c) if the encryption key is not yet available: (c-1) allowing the I/O request if it does not require access to actual encrypted data stored on the encrypted storage device; (c-2) allowing the I/O request if it comprises a predetermined input/output control (IOCTL), the predetermined IOCTL comprising one of reset, reset all, and a non-destructive non small computer standard interface (SCSI) IOCTLs; (c-3) allowing the I/O request if it comprises a predetermined, non-destructive SCSI command descriptor block (CDB); (c-4) allowing the I/O request if it that enables an entity that sent the I/O request to avoid a malfunction in its operation; (c-5) allowing the I/O request if it opens or closes the encrypted storage device; and (c-6) allowing the I/O request if it checks the state of the encrypted storage device; and (d) else, if the encryption key is not available and the I/O request is not one of (c-1) through (c-6), denying the I/O request.