Intel SSD Security + BIOS password SSD bug

I was researching how the Intel 320 SSD security is implemented and what prevents you from moving the drive from one machine to another machine to access the data.

Here is my limited understanding about the security for the Intel 320 SSD:

The factory encryption keys are used when you get the drive and the drive is always encrypting the data on the drive.

If you want to create new encryption keys verses the factory encryption keys, you have to perform a secure erase on the SSD. However, without the BIOS password being set, your drive and data is accessible on your machine or if you move the SSD to another machine.

If you want to prevent your data from being read from your machine at bootup or from another machine, you must set the BIOS password.

However, I discovered a link to this support issue that you cannot disable or change the BIOS password after you set it without risking an inoperable drive. This affects many of the Intel SSD drives and not just the Intel drives that perform encryption.

Intel® High Performance Solid State Drive — System inoperable when BIOS drive password disabled or changed

 

I see that it is last modified 3 months ago, but as far as I know - this issue is a non-issue with any Intel SSD and the appropriate current firmware applied.

I am pretty sure this is still on the web for 'historic' informational purposes.

 

Most vendors update their technical bulletins to include when the issue is fixed and the procedure to fix the problem.

I believe Intel updated this bulletin due to the new release of the 510 and 320 series at the end of March 2011.

 

Good points, but I'm still not convinced this is still an issue.