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Storage Encrypted USB

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by SirFur, 14 Nov 2011.

  1. SirFur

    SirFur PC Gamer and LAzy B0nes

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    Hi folks,

    I'm looking for a reliable fast encrypted USB drive that I need for work. I work in the NHS so needs to be of robust encryption; I believe 256 AES is adequate but I am not sure to be honest. Would prefer hardware based. USB 3.0 would be very cool to have but seems like there aren't many decently priced encrypted USB 3.0 drives available.

    I have a few in mind but many are expensive. The 16GB size would be a sweet spot for me but am willing to go larger if its worthwhile. I cannot spend much more than £35 on such a drive.

    I am at present considering going for this Kingston DataTraveller Locker+

    Your help would be much appreciated!!
     
  2. Blazza181

    Blazza181 SVM PLACENTA CASEI

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    Just saying, my father works for the NHS, and they all use quite old PCs. I doubt most of the pcs would use USB3, and they are not backward compatible with USB2 ports, so that may be a no-go.
     
  3. SirFur

    SirFur PC Gamer and LAzy B0nes

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    Damn I overlooked that....are you sure? i was pretty certain they were backwards compatible...or am I thinking of USB 2.0 items being compatible with a USB 3.0 socket...:duh:
     
  4. Blazza181

    Blazza181 SVM PLACENTA CASEI

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    Yep. Sorry mate. Of course, there are tons of decent USB2 drives.
     
  5. Yeoo

    Yeoo Minimodder

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    Are all USB sticks software encrypted? so if they can reproduce the software they can access it? the Datalocker External HDD are only thing i know that is truly secure.
     
  6. SirFur

    SirFur PC Gamer and LAzy B0nes

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    No they aren't...the above are hardware-encrytped....but I am not familiar with the market well enough to make a confident buy at present.
     
  7. Jeevus

    Jeevus Minimodder

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    USB 3.0 is backwards compatible, even back to USB 1.1
     
  8. adam_bagpuss

    adam_bagpuss Have you tried turning it off/on ?

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    Don't the nhs supply you with one. My mum works for nhs and she got one given. I'm also pretty sure you can't use your own USB sticks secure or not.

    Sent from Bittech Android app
     
  9. Blazza181

    Blazza181 SVM PLACENTA CASEI

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    Ah, but you cannot use a USB3 device in a USB2 port. Of course, the other way round is fine.
     
  10. mejobloggs

    mejobloggs What's a Dremel?

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    Yes you can, it just runs slower
     
  11. Blazza181

    Blazza181 SVM PLACENTA CASEI

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    You learn something new every day!
    :D
     
  12. Another_level

    Another_level What's a Dremel?

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    I hope your USB drive won't be holding patients information.

    Anyway, your IT department should be able to advise on what equipment would be suitable and whether it would be approved in line with NHS own data security protocol. Chances are slim if the product has been purchased outside the NHS procurement process.

    In view of recent stories about lost data in the public sector I would imagine your boss taking a strong view on security.
     
  13. dark_avenger

    dark_avenger Minimodder

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    The USB3 pins are set back further so the USB stick sits out a little further in a USB2 port but works fine, had a Supertalent Express Duo for my everyday stick for 6 months+ without issue.
     
  14. xaser04

    xaser04 Ba Ba Ba BANANA!

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    Indeed. My wife also works for the NHS (Finance) and she was provided with a USB stick pen for working away from her desk.

    I wouldn't be buying something like this out of my own pocket when it should be supplied by your workplace.

    This is before we even look down the avenue of whether it is against IT policy or not.
     
  15. mejobloggs

    mejobloggs What's a Dremel?

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    Just install TrueCrypt. You can encrypt any flash drive etc with it I believe.

    Never used it myself but I've heard it's massively popular
     
  16. megadriveguy

    megadriveguy Minimodder

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    If your using windows machines you could try bit locker
     
  17. .//TuNdRa

    .//TuNdRa Resident Bulldozer Guru

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    Pick up an IronKey? Those things wipe themselves if the password is entered incorrectly three times, though, so best remember that thing.
     
  18. Atomic

    Atomic Gerwaff

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    Just contact your IT Service Desk (or Information Security Officer, ISO, if you have one) they will be able to tell you who to speak to about getting hold of one.

    I work in Public Sector too and the encryption we have is software based, you already have a client on the computers you just don't notice it doing it's thing.

    I'd be suprised if hardware encrypted drives will even work without you having specific rights given to you for them.
     
  19. megadriveguy

    megadriveguy Minimodder

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    my god they'll wipe your bank balance as well :jawdrop:

    the profit there making on those makes apple look like amateurs

    16GB £219.95 on amazon :jawdrop::jawdrop::jawdrop:

    why are they so expensive
     
  20. Technobod

    Technobod Minimodder

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    I personally have a generic USB with an encrypted file container on it done with TrueCrypt. Granted its eventually brute forceable but 12 chars of mixed upper, lower, numbers and specials is good enough for me.
    If not then IronKeys are the only well reviewed hardware encrypted flash drive I know of.
     

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