A system, method and media drive for selectively encrypting a data packet. The system includes an encryption key for use in encrypting the data packet, a verification data element derived from the encryption key, an encryption engine for selectively encrypting the data packet using the encryption key, and a verification engine in electronic communication with the encryption engine. The verification engine is configured to receive the encryption key and the verification data element, determine when the verification data element corresponds to the encryption key as received by the verification engine, and prohibit encryption of the data packet by the encryption engine when the verification data element does not correspond to the encryption key as received by the verification engine.