Is Your Encrypted Data Really Safe?

http://www.news.com/8301-13578_3-9876060-38.html?tag=nefd.pop
from WinCustomize Forums
A group led by a Princeton University computer security researcher has developed a simple method to steal encrypted information stored on computer hard disks.  When the computer’s electrical power is shut off, the data, including the keys, is supposed to disappear.  Seems a fast-freeze of DRAM chips keeps the data in memory including the keys to modern data-scrambling algorithms even when the power has been shut off.

Laptops are especially vulnerable to the attack when the machines are in lock, sleep, or hibernation modes, according to the report.  Researchers say the attack technique is likely to be effective against many other computer disk encryption systems because of structural similarities.

Check it out.    Is Your Data Safe?
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
no shit. This highlights the often overlooked but vitally important component of data protection. Physical security. If the bad guys don't get the laptop because you have security policies in place for the protection of hardware , espeically laptops , and an educated , motivated workforce protecting it, then this issue is essentially moot, along with a lot of supposed 'security flaws' that require phyical access to the machine to be effective. The most important link in the security change is the user. Educate and motivate the users on the importance and value of security , and the game is a lot harder for the bad guys.