There are a variety of encryption tools available to secure external storage media, such as TrueCrypt, but the all have one issue in common - They depend on software to encrypt the data, not to mention the risk of a key-logger grabbing the encryption key, such as a hardware key-logger placed in line with the keyboard.
Apricorn has unveiled its Aegis Padlock Fortress encrypted USB3 external drive, which uses not only uses hardware encryption, but requires the pin to be entered on its keypad. Only once the correct PIN is entered does it connect with the OS. The drive cannot be used without encryption as the user is required to set up a unique pin on its first use. As all the encryption is done in hardware, the drive is totally OS-independent and does not require any software for access. This means it can be used with Smart TVs, photo printing kiosks and most other devices where it is not possible to run encryption software for access.
Its features include Military Grade AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption, 7-16 digit pin length, integrated USB3 cable, hardware generated encryption keys, tamper resistant epoxy resin protected encryption circuitry, dust & water resistance and automatic locking after a user-set amount of time. It will wipe its encryption key after a per-determined number of failed pin entries. The drive can be reset to wipe its Pins and data for redeployment.
Apricorn claims this drive is FIPS 140-2 validated and exceeds the strictest security requirements set by the US Government. Its keypad is wear-resistant, so that after repeated use, there is no tale-tale sign of which keys are frequently used that could reveal the pin. For corporate use, it can be set up with 5 independent user PINs and an administrator PIN that can be used to reset a forgotten user PIN or to reassign to a new user.
The Aegis Padlock Fortress is available in capacities of 500GB to 1TB for the HDD model and 128GB to 512GB for the SSD model. However, as expected with such strong security, the starting price is a hefty $349 for the 500GB HDD model, working up to $899 for the 512GB SSD model. All models are backed by a 3 year warranty.
Further info can be found in the source press release and on its official product page.
