Cryptographic method certifies retention lock status with embedded log

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent US12585547B2, titled 'Cryptographic method certifies retention lock status with embedded log'. This patent, assigned to Dell Products L.P., introduces a novel method for certifying the retention lock (RL) status of backup files stored in a storage target. The system involves obtaining the RL status, encrypting it to create a certified RL status, and maintaining an auditable verification log by appending timestamps to tokens. This log is made available to auditors for reviewing the certified RL status of locked files.

This patent establishes a new technical standard for data backup systems, particularly concerning data immutability and auditability. Companies involved in data storage, backup solutions, and cybersecurity will need to assess how this patent impacts their existing or planned technologies. While this is a patent grant and not a direct regulatory mandate, it represents intellectual property that could influence future product development and potentially lead to licensing requirements or design considerations for entities operating in this space.