Quixotic1, thanks for your report...
Below reference sounds like the limited production run of the first version Momentus 5400 FDE, to be replaced this Q by the 5400 FDE.2. So, the NSA guy said they are only taking machines with FDE? That would mean they are using the 5400 FDE which is PATA not SATA, so they may not even be on TPM machines since I think most current TPM machines are SATA...5400 FDE.2 is SATA. Put another way, if they are buying the 5400 FDE PATA drives, they may be having trouble finding PATA TPM PCs. But, everything we are hearing from the NSA suggests they are going to be implementing TPMs, so combined with your report the implications are for NSA to use TPMs w/ Seagate 5400 FDE.2 (5400 FDE.2 is SATA and will thus be compatible with current TPM PCs).
Seagate also had a contingent of engineers and management types talking about their new line encrypted HDDs. They did indicate that the FEDS where taking all current production until Q1-07. There was a lot of concern and questions because these drives are mfg in China; but our NSA presenter did indicate that they were now buying only HW encrypted HDDs…but couldn’t come out and tell the name of manufacturer directly. Now of course, the Seagate model is the only one on the market with the attributes that he described…as he smiled and looked at the Seagate representative off to the side of the room.
AI
