In an interview with TimesTech, Fissal Oubida, General Manager at Lexar Co., shared valuable insights on the evolution of SSD technology, the role of PCIe 5.0 and upcoming PCIe 6.0, and how Lexar is innovating to meet the demands of diverse user segments. He also discussed emerging trends like Computational Storage, NVMe-oF, and the critical importance of security in the age of AI and edge computing.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: With PCIe 5.0 adoption gaining momentum, how is it transforming SSD performance benchmarks, and what innovations can we expect as the industry transitions toward PCIe 6.0?
Fissal: The adoption of PCIe 5.0 has marked a significant leap in storage performance, effectively doubling the bandwidth over PCIe 4.0. For SSDs, this means substantially faster read/write speeds, lower latency, and more responsive systems—especially critical for gamers, content creators, and enterprise users managing intensive workloads.
At Lexar, we’ve already integrated PCIe 5.0 into our latest high-performance SSDs to deliver next-gen speed and reliability. For instance, our latest solutions, like the Lexar NM800 PRO with Heatsink, are built to maximize throughput while maintaining optimal thermal performance—even under sustained loads. This is essential not just for speed, but for system longevity and stability.
Looking ahead, PCIe 6.0 will again double the data rate, bringing even more bandwidth to future SSDs. While this transition is still in early stages, it’s exciting because it opens doors for AI-driven applications, real-time 8K video editing, and other data-intensive use cases. As we move toward PCIe 6.0, innovations will center around smarter controller designs, improved power efficiency, and tighter integration with next-gen platforms.
Ultimately, PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 are not just about speed—they’re about enabling richer experiences and more efficient data workflows. At Lexar, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of these transitions, delivering solutions that meet both current and future performance demands.
TimesTech: Technologies like Computational Storage and NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) are gaining attention. How does Lexar view its potential in reshaping storage architecture and performance across consumer and enterprise segments?
Fissal: At Lexar, we closely monitor emerging technologies that push the boundaries of storage performance and efficiency. Computational Storage and NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) are two such innovations with transformative potential, particularly in how they optimize data movement and processing across devices and networks.
Computational Storage introduces the ability to process data directly on the storage device, reducing the need to transfer large volumes of data to the CPU. This significantly reduces latency and energy consumption—something that becomes especially important in AI-driven workloads and edge computing environments. While still an emerging space, we see strong opportunities for integration as demand grows for smarter, faster, and more autonomous systems.
Similarly, NVMe-oF is poised to reshape enterprise storage by enabling ultra-fast, low-latency access to remote NVMe SSDs over high-speed networks. It has clear benefits for hyperscale data centers, where scalability and real-time performance are critical. While this is more of an enterprise-focused advancement, the foundational architecture is influencing how storage is designed even at the consumer level, pushing for higher bandwidth and more efficient protocols.
At Lexar, we are aligning our roadmap with these evolving standards and keeping a close eye on when and how these technologies can be adopted at scale, while continuing to deliver high-performance, cost-effective solutions for both gamers and professional users today.
TimesTech: Data security is a growing concern across industries. How is Lexar addressing these challenges through features like Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs) and other secure storage innovations?
Fissal: In today’s digital-first environment, safeguarding sensitive data is no longer optional—it’s essential. At Lexar, we recognize the increasing need for robust, built-in security features across both consumer and enterprise storage solutions.
To address these concerns, we’ve implemented Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs) that leverage AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption, providing real-time protection without compromising performance. These drives ensure that data is automatically encrypted as it’s written, and decrypted during access, offering seamless security that’s resistant to tampering or unauthorized access.
In addition, we have introduced Lexar DataShield, a software solution that empowers users to create a password-protected vault within their storage device. This secure area provides an extra layer of privacy for sensitive files, offering peace of mind for individuals, professionals, and small businesses that rely on portable data storage.
Our approach goes beyond just encryption. Lexar also integrates firmware-level protections, secure erase functions, and data integrity tools such as power-loss protection and error correction code (ECC) to ensure that data remains intact, even in the face of unexpected disruptions.
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, Lexar remains committed to innovating in the space of secure storage, delivering solutions that combine high performance with the confidence of strong, built-in protection.
TimesTech: SSDs have become essential across a wide range of applications, from gaming rigs to hyperscale data centers. How does Lexar approach the evolving demands of such diverse user bases, and how does product development differ across these segments?
Fissal: At Lexar, we recognize that storage needs are not one-size-fits-all. Gamers, content creators, enterprise users, and data center operators each have unique performance and reliability requirements. Our product development strategy reflects this diversity with a focused, segmented approach.
For the gaming and enthusiast community, we prioritize speed, responsiveness, and thermal management. Products like our ARES RGB DDR5 DRAM and high-performance PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 SSDs—including the Lexar NM800 PRO with Heatsink, which is also PS5-ready—are designed to deliver lightning-fast load times, smooth multitasking, and superior aesthetics through customizable RGB lighting.
In contrast, for enterprise and data center environments, the focus shifts to endurance, scalability, and power efficiency. These users demand solutions that support sustained high workloads, advanced error correction, and optimized power consumption. Our enterprise-class SSDs are engineered with features like DRAM caching, improved thermal performance, and long-term durability to support hyperscale infrastructure and high-volume data operations.
Additionally, for mobile and portable users, our UHS-II microSD cards offer high-speed transfers, reliability in extreme conditions, and 4K recording support—ideal for creators on the go.
Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that each product we develop addresses the specific pain points and expectations of its target user segment, without compromising on quality, innovation, or performance.
TimesTech: How is Lexar positioning itself strategically to stay ahead in a highly competitive SSD market, especially with the increasing convergence of AI, edge computing, and cloud infrastructure?
Fissal: At Lexar, our strategic focus is rooted in innovation, performance, and reliability. We understand that the evolving landscape, driven by AI, edge computing, and cloud infrastructure, demands memory solutions that are not only faster but also smarter and more resilient. To stay ahead, we’re consistently investing in advanced controller technologies, higher-speed NAND flash, and thermal management systems that ensure stability under heavy workloads.
We’re also broadening our portfolio to address the specific needs of AI and edge deployments, whether it’s delivering ultra-fast NVMe SSDs with low latency for data centers or designing high-endurance storage for edge devices that require real-time data access and durability in unpredictable environments.
Moreover, we’re working closely with channel partners and system integrators to ensure that our solutions are seamlessly integrated across a wide range of industrial and consumer use cases. Our strategy is not just about offering cutting-edge products but about enabling long-term scalability and performance for tomorrow’s intelligent ecosystems.
TimesTech: Looking ahead, what are some of the key technology trends and consumer expectations you foresee driving the next three to five years of innovation in SSD and flash storage solutions?
Fissal: Over the next three to five years, we anticipate several trends that will significantly influence the SSD and flash storage landscape.
First, the demand for ultra-fast, low-latency storage will only grow, especially as applications like generative AI, 8K video editing, and AR/VR become more mainstream. Consumers and professionals alike will expect storage that can keep up with these high-performance environments.
Second, we foresee a rising need for energy-efficient storage solutions. As sustainability becomes a critical business objective, both enterprise and consumer markets will lean toward SSDs that deliver top performance with optimized power consumption.
Another key trend will be the growing importance of security and data integrity. With the explosion of data across devices and platforms, consumers will look for storage that not only performs well but also protects their information through built-in encryption and reliability features.
Finally, form factor flexibility will matter more than ever. As computing devices continue to shrink in size and diversify in application, storage must adapt—whether that means ultra-slim NVMe drives for compact laptops or ruggedized SSDs for industrial and mobile environments.
At Lexar, we’re excited about these developments and remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what flash storage can achieve.
