Encased in metal and wrapped in encryption, this is the only way to keep your data safe and it looks good too!

This super tough, ultra-compact SSD is pretty fast. I got 176MBs write and 185MBs read which is more than most people will need for anything except 4K video editing. IP56 certified against water, dust and grit, with a crush-resistant aluminium enclosure and built-in USB 3.0 cable, your data is protected well beyond just encryption. The Aegis Padlock SSD’s resilient design makes it perfect for travel, in fact, it has joined me on trips to Dubai, New York, Paris and well… Bristol, and has served as my main backup drive for media on recent photo and video commisions.

IP56 certified against water and dust and grit, with a crush-resistant aluminium enclosure and built-in USB 3.0 cable, your data is protected well beyond just encryption
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This is my favourite Apricorn product, principally because of its small size, robust metal construction, ultra-fast USB 3.1 (3.0) data transfer speeds, and software-free operation. The 100% hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encryption hides elegantly behind solid engineering and practical design, leaving you free to get on with your job. Just relax and know all your important data is encrypted on the fly, the PINs and data remaining encrypted even while the drive is at rest.

For the super paranoid rest assured that the Aegis Padlock’s FIPS 140-2 validation covers 11 areas of its cryptographic security system, including physical security, cryptographic key management and design integrity.

The FIPS 140-2 Level 2 encryption validation encompasses both the Padlock SSD’s physical tamper-resistant features as well as its identity-based authentication. Tested and validated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use by the Federal governments of the USA, Canada and others, the Aegis Padlock SSD Drive is based on Apricorn’s FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validated encryption module as indicated by certificate #2835. The Padlock SSD’s security policy is located on the NIST site at the following link. The epoxy coated boundary includes all encryption functions and all Critical Security Parameters (CSPs) such as PIN storage, encryption key generation and storage, random number and seed generators, and all firmware storage.

Tested and validated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use by the Federal governments of the USA, Canada and others, the Aegis Padlock SSD Drive is the business
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Completely cross-platform compatible and OS agnostic, the Padlock SSD thrives with Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and Chrome, it even worked when I plugged it into the back of an HD projector, acting as a media drive. All internal componentry is protected from physical tampering with a layer of hardened epoxy, firmly secured inside the metal shell and its firmware is locked down to prevent any tampering, making it impervious to malware attacks and any but the largest of hammers.

It is Aegis Configurator Software & Configurator Hub compatible, a Windows-Based app and accompanying powered drive dock that quickly sets up multiple devices simultaneously. We tested it back in January with the Aegis Secure Key 3z and can see it being an excellent and secure time-saver for companies rolling out drives like these to multiple staff. The Configurator lets you create custom profiles and mass configures multiple devices in a matter of seconds using the Aegis Configurator and Hub.

When programmed and activated this Self Destruct PIN performs a crypto-erase
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However its coolest feature is the self-destruct PIN, so when you are up against evil international spies, cornered in a crumbling dock-side warehouse and down to your last bullet (I know… Round) you can punch in your secret PIN, wiping all the data for good before you chamber your solitary ‘Round’ and cop-out. When programmed and activated this PIN of last resort performs a crypto-erase. Truly the last line of defence for data security when the device’s physical security is at risk.

Truly the last line of defence for data security when the device’s physical security is at risk the Self Destruct feature has you covered
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This is a great external drive and the price is very reasonable for the quality of the product. This SSD goes everywhere with me and my only regret is I didn’t get the 2TB version as I can’t seem to stop producing data! Tech Trends highly recommends the Aegis Padlock USB 3 SSD and advises you to look at the other products from Apricorn, all of which are truly excellent quality. If your data is worth keeping, it is worth keeping safe.

Specifications:

RRP: 120GB – 2TB – $249.00 – $1,039.00 US & £185 – £750 UK

Tom Atkinson is a Digital Producer & Photographer at R3Digital and Reviews & Dept. Editor at Tech Trends. Connect on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @R3Digital

The post Product Review: Aegis Padlock SSD appeared first on Tech Trends.

Bring out the big guns! Apricorn impresses with its huge capacity Aegis Padlock DT secure desktop hard drive.

Tech Trends is delighted to review another product from specialists in secure storage solutions, Apricorn. Based in California with their EMEA headquarters in the UK these guys make some excellent kit. We have tried out several portable USB solutions in the last year, but this Aegis Padlock DT FIPS – USB 3.0 is a desktop drive which really looks the business sitting between my desktop server, mix desk, stereo amp, DAC and printer.

The Aegis Padlock DT FIPS – USB 3.0 is a desktop drive with a strong steel case, grill and rear panel that looks like it would stand up to a good hammering and generally feels like a very serious bit of kit
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It has a strong steel case, grill and rear panel that looks like it would stand up to a good hammering and generally feels like a very serious bit of kit. The drive comes in a range of capacities from 2TB up to a whopping 12TB so there is plenty of scope for different professional use cases from photography to secure office backups.

Looking at the security specs it’s clear the impenetrable exterior is backed up by an equally impenetrable interior. Like all the Apricorn products I have tried out, it is software-free and uses 100% hardware-based encryption – in this case, 256-bit AES XTS. It is onboard keypad PIN authenticated and boasts ultra-fast USB 3.1 (3.0) data transfer speeds. Of course, most hard drives can’t work as fast as a USB 3 bus but the Aegis Padlock DT managed around 185Mbps read and write in my tests. Very impressive when you consider that all data is also encrypted on the fly.

The Aegis Padlock DT’s FIPS 140-2 validation covers 11 areas of its cryptographic security system, including physical security, cryptographic key management and design integrity. Level 2 encryption validation encompasses both the Padlock DT’s physical tamper-resistant features as well as its identity-based authentication.

The Aegis Padlock DT’s FIPS 140-2 Level 2 encryption validation encompasses both the Padlock DT’s physical tamper-resistant features as well as its identity-based authentication
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To put your mind at rest the device’s PINs and data remain encrypted while the drive is at rest, and just like the Aegis Secure Key 3z I tested recently, all internal componentry is protected from physical tampering with a layer of hardened epoxy. Its firmware is also locked down preventing any modifications, which make it immune to malware attacks such as BadUSB.

Tested and validated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use by the Federal governments of the USA, Canada and others, the Aegis Padlock DT Drive is based on Apricorn’s FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validated encryption module as indicated by certificate #2835. The Padlock DT’s security policy is located on the NIST site.

Validated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use by the Federal governments of the USA, Canada, the Aegis Padlock DT Drive is based on Apricorn’s FIPS 140-2 Level 2 encryption module
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Apricorn really gets the variety of different environments professionals can work in so the Aegis Padlock DT is completely cross-platform compatible and OS agnostic, thriving on Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and Chrome. It also works where software-based encrypted devices can’t function such as embedded systems, diagnostic machinery, and equipment in possession of a powered USB port and storage file system. This flexibility alone is a great reason to look at Apricorn products as you need to know that when you walk into an edit suite, a server room or a regular office, your drive will plug in and just work.

Apricorn really gets the variety of different environments professionals can work in so the Aegis Padlock DT is completely cross-platform compatible and OS agnostic
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The epoxy coated boundary includes all encryption functions and all Critical Security Parameters (CSPs) such as PIN storage, encryption key generation and storage, random number and seed generators, and all firmware storage. The FIPS module is a complete encryption system, and all CSPs never leave the boundary and are never shared with a host system. By design, the HDD/SSD that stores the encrypted data is excluded from this boundary to maximize affordability and flexibility in capacity and form factor offerings.

Like all Apricorn products, this is sturdy, practical, easy to use with software-free setup, very secure and well priced, what’s not to like?
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Like all desktop drives, this pulls a bit more current than a smaller portable USB only drive so comes with a power supply and the included USB 3 Type A to B cable is good quality, and actually of a usable length – no crappy twelve-inch cables here. It is also quiet in use and a good, portable size for a desktop drive. Like all Apricorn products, this is sturdy, practical, easy to use with software-free setup, secure and well priced, what’s not to like?

Specifications:

Tom Atkinson is a Digital Producer & Photographer at R3Digital and Reviews & Dept. Editor at Tech Trends. Connect on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter @R3Digital

The post Product Review: Aegis Padlock DT FIPS – USB 3.0 Desktop Drive appeared first on Tech Trends.