Abstract

A data security device which includes storage means for storing a master cipher key, cryptographic apparatus for performing cryptographic operations and control means for controlling the writing of a master cipher key into the storage means, controlling the transfer of the master cipher key to the cryptographic apparatus and controlling the cryptographic apparatus to perform cryptographic operations. When a new master cipher key is written into the storage means, the old master cipher key is automatically overwritten with an arbitrary value, after which the new master key may be written into the storage means. The cryptographic apparatus of the data security device includes storage means, a cipher key register and cipher means for performing a cipher function on data stored in the cryptographic apparatus storage means under control of a working cipher key stored in the cipher key register with the resulting ciphered data being stored in the cryptographic apparatus storage means. A load cipher key direct function can be performed whereby a working cipher key may be loaded directly into the cipher key register for use as a working cipher key in performing a cipher function. A decipher key function can be performed whereby the master cipher key is transferred to the cipher key register as a working cipher key after which an operational key enciphered under the master cipher key is transferred to the cryptographic apparatus storage means and the control means causes the enciphered operational key to be deciphered to obtain the operational key in clear form as a working cipher key for subsequent encipher/decipher data functions.