The CryptCard has several advantages over other security solutions, the first being the use of a dedicated encryption processor, the SuperCrypt chip. Second, an on-board microprocessor provides independent monitoring and control of system resources. One of the largest security concerns with most software-based security solutions is that the key to encrypt the hard disk, as well as the encryption engine, is stored on the disk being protected. The CryptCard is unique not only because it stores the hard disk encryption key in encrypted memory space within the CryptCard, but because the actual encryption engine does not reside on the protected hard disk, making it impossible to retrieve the hard disk encryption key material by force.