A distributed data storage system can have an attestation module that is connected to the data storage device to disconnect the device from a distributed data storage network or prevent the data storage device from being initialized into the distributed data storage network. A first security evaluation of the data storage device can be conducted with the attestation module to verify an authenticity of the data storage device. The attestation module may then disconnect the network controller from the distributed data storage network and verify an authenticity of the network controller to allow the network controller and data storage device to service a data access request from a host of the distributed data storage network.