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Appendix 07 · Storage Media

From the book: Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics – Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography

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Content of this appendix

Appendix 07 · Storage Media

This appendix examines storage media as a core component of Memory Key Distribution. It traces the role of smart cards, USB devices, SSDs, and hardware-protected storage in carrying cryptographic key material between parties. The central question is which media can safely store and move enough random bits for practical high-security use.

The appendix discusses capacity, internal encryption, access control, tamper resistance, certification, interface speed, and secure deletion. It explains why one-time-pad-scale MKD requires more than ordinary removable storage: the medium must protect key material before, during, and after transport while still allowing efficient controlled consumption.

The material is strongly deployment-oriented. It helps readers evaluate whether a storage technology can support real key logistics, whether manufacturer claims are relevant to MKD, and how media selection interacts with HSMs, smart cards, random-number generators, and chain-of-custody procedures.

  • Compares storage media for MKD key transport
  • Focuses on capacity, access control, and encryption
  • Discusses certification and tamper resistance
  • Relates storage speed to one-time-pad practicality
  • Supports selection of MKD-capable media

Suggested citation

Reference in IEEE style

E. Piller and H. Schölnast, “Appendix 07: Storage Media,” author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://cryptography.study/phys/memory/.

Reference in ACM style

Ernst Piller and Hubert Schölnast. 2026. Appendix 07: Storage Media. Author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography. https://cryptography.study/phys/memory/

BibTeX entry 
@misc{piller_schoelnast_2026_appendix_07_storage_media,
  title        = {Storage Media},
  author       = {Ernst Piller and Hubert Schölnast},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {Author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics},
  url          = {https://cryptography.study/phys/memory/},
  note         = {Related book DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3},
  language     = {en}
}
RIS entry 
TY  - GEN
TI  - Storage Media
T2  - Author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics
AU  - Piller, Ernst
AU  - Schölnast, Hubert
PY  - 2026
UR  - https://cryptography.study/phys/memory/
N1  - Related book DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3
LA  - en
ER  -
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