An approach for storing and maintaining data is disclosed. One or more sensors are provided for detecting unauthorized access to a first non-volatile storage. If unauthorized access to the first non-volatile storage is detected, then the data on the first non-volatile storage is deleted by overwriting the data on the first non-volatile storage with a predetermined value so that the data cannot be recovered. The first non-volatile storage is registered with a registration authority to provide authentication of the data maintained on the first non-volatile storage.