Cryptographic method certifies backup data retention lock status

USPTO issued Patent US12598082B2 to Dell Products L.P. for a cryptographic method certifying retention lock status in backup systems. The patent covers obtaining retention lock status for backup files stored in a storage target, encrypting the status using an encryption key process to create a certified retention lock status token, and providing this token to backup software for inspection and audit purposes. The method handles opaque data that is not interpreted by the filesystem, with the retention lock status request including opaque data returned in the response, potentially in cleartext format.

This patent grant affects technology companies developing data backup, deduplication, or storage systems with retention lock functionality. Companies offering enterprise storage solutions may need to consider potential patent licensing implications when implementing similar cryptographic certification methods for retention lock status verification. The patent strengthens Dell's intellectual property portfolio in data security and backup integrity verification technologies.