What is a major feature of self-encrypting Solid State Drives (SSDs)?

The major feature of self-encrypting Solid State Drives (SSDs) revolves around their use of hardware-based encryption, which is indeed faster than software encryption. This is due to the fact that the encryption process is handled directly by the drive's built-in controller, relieving the host system's CPU from the heavy lifting of encryption tasks. This not only enhances performance during data write and read operations but also provides a seamless user experience since the encryption and decryption occur in real-time without noticeable delays.

Hardware-based encryption is often more advantageous because it operates independently of the operating system and does not require additional software to manage the encryption process. This allows for a more efficient use of system resources, leading to faster data transfer rates and better overall system performance.

Self-encrypting SSDs are designed with security in mind, ensuring that data is automatically encrypted when written to the drive and decrypted when accessed. This level of integration and efficiency is a key reason why hardware-based solutions are generally favored in enterprise environments for protecting sensitive data.