A data storage area of a data storage device is partitioned logically between a user storage area and a device storage area. Source data stored securely in the device storage area is copied as derivative data to the user storage area, or is used as a basis for creating derivative data stored in the user storage area, whenever the data storage device is initialized. In one embodiment, the data storage area is read-write and the device storage area has embodied thereon device system code, executed by a controller of the data storage device, for writing source data to the device storage area only if the source data satisfies a predetermined condition. Examples of derivative data include an autorun file, a volume label and user identification. Data from a host may be stored reversibly in the user storage area but must be stored securely in the device storage area.