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A new solid-state drive (SSD) developed by Taiwan’s TeamGroup has introduced a data protection feature previously reserved for espionage fiction: physical self-destruction. The P250Q-M80, unveiled at Computex 2025 and awarded in the event’s cybersecurity category, targets users and industries where data security is not optional but mission-critical.
Designed for defense systems and other security-sensitive sectors, the P250Q-M80 offers two distinct self-wipe mechanisms. A short press on the built-in control triggers a software-based data purge, securely erasing all contents while keeping the drive itself functional. Notably, this feature includes an automatic resume function, ensuring the wipe completes even if power is interrupted mid-process, according to Interesting Engineering.
However, for situations where there’s no margin for compromise, the SSD also includes a hardware-level destruct option. Holding a designated button for several seconds initiates a high-voltage current that physically destroys the NAND flash memory. Once activated, this process renders the drive permanently inoperable, with no possibility of data recovery—even through forensic methods. A multi-stage LED indicator offers real-time visual feedback throughout the procedure.
The destruction system can also be wired to an external switch, allowing deployment in real-time scenarios where operators might need to trigger the kill function independently of the host device.
The P250Q-M80 also maintains high-end storage performance. It supports PCIe Gen4x4 and the NVMe 1.4 protocol, with read/write speeds reaching 7,000 MB/s and 5,500 MB/s respectively. Storage capacities range from 256GB to 2TB, using 3D TLC NAND.
The drive meets military-grade shock and vibration resistance standards and can operate across a wide temperature range. TeamGroup also holds a U.S. patent for its adaptive thermal management system, which moderates performance based on environmental conditions to ensure consistent operation.
While TeamGroup has not yet released pricing or availability, the P250Q-M80 presents a compelling solution for sectors where irreversible data protection is essential.
