SecurDisc

SecurDisc is a technology developed by Nero AG and Hitachi-LG Data Storage that claims to secure files stored on CDs and DVDs against damage, theft and copying. While a common practise for business users (and some personal users) is to encrypt or password protect file systems on Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), data stored on optical discs usually lags behind in terms of security and is more vulnerable to data loss or damage than conventional HDDs.

SecurDisc adds multi-layer protection to your discs to secure your data against theft and corruption. SecurDisc supports CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R , DVD-R DL , DVD-RW , DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM media, and is supported by the Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems. The benefits of this technology are realized with CD and DVD media authored via SecurDisc-certified devices and carry the SecurDisc logo.

SecurDisc offers several layer of protection.

Data Reliability

SecurDisc improves your chances of recovering data from damaged or worn discs. When you create and burn a disc using SecurDisc features, it will utilise the free space left on the disc to store information that will help with the recovery process. Data reliability is very important now that blank DVD and CD media costs a lot less than it used to, but some cheaper discs are very poor in quality.

Password Protection

SecurDisc can protect your entire discs' contents with a password. It uses AES-128 encryption to protect the files against prying eyes. The password given by the user is passed securely to the drive for confirmation. Any access attempt to password protected content will load up a prompt to enter the password. Once the password has been confirmed, the drive will permit access to the unencrypted content.

Data Integrity Check

SecurDisc already stores information that may help in recovery if a disc is damaged, but what about CD or DVD media decaying over time? By using a checksum feature, SecurDisc regularly checks the integrity of the data and can warn you if your data is in danger of decay and will recommend backing up the data. This feature cannot be disabled.

Digital Signature

If sending sensitive data to another person, SecurDisc allows you to digitally sign the entire disc so the recipient can check that the data has not been manipulated. The key needed to check the contents of the disc can be distributed to anyone through some other method. InCD or InCD Reader is required to use this feature.

Copy Protection for PDF Documents

SecurDisc can protect sensitive PDF documents against duplication. The copy protection feature allows for PDF documents to be read but not copied or edited at all. SecurDisc will encrypt files and store a key in a copy protected part of the media. A special reader application is needed to read the PDF files. For now, only PDF documents are supported.

SecurDisc in the News

Nero's SecurDisc recognized as industry standard for burning security- Nero has announced that SecurDisc has been recognized by the Mt. Fuji Group as an industry standard for secure CD and DVD burning. (11 September 2007)

LG adds SecurDisc to more drives- Nero has announced the global availability of more SecurDisc-enabled drives from LG Electronics, Inc. The addition of SecurDisc technology to the new LG GSA-E60N/L LG 20x External DVD Rewriter and the LG GSA-E50N/L Slim Portable provides secure data protection and content access control for data recorded on regular CD and DVD formats. (10 September 2007)

Related Guides

Using SecurDisc to protect important data on recordable media- This article is an introduction to a new technology called SecurDisc, and a thorough manual on how the end user can take advantage of its features. This guide is for everyone who values privacy and data security, but would be most useful to private businesses who have sensitive information that needs constant backup and care, and of course, protection from prying eyes.