DETECTION OF DATA STORAGE DEVICE REMOVAL

Detecting the removal of a data storage device from a storage system involves first determining that a shorter pin of an electrical connector of a storage device is disconnected from a mating electrical connector, such as by sensing a voltage drop on that pin, then determining at a later time that a longer pin of the connector is disconnected from the mating connector. Responsive to determining that the longer pin was disconnected after a predetermined period of time after the shorter pin, a conclusion may be made that the storage device has been removed from the system as opposed to being subject to a simple device power aberration. Thus, responsive data destruction action(s) may be taken to render the data stored on the device inaccessible to the attacker thereby protecting the device even after the device is removed from the storage system.