INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   As technology advances (most recent example is the release of 8k TV's with such content/material being available by 2020) so do our digital storage needs which is also why Seagate, Toshiba, WD, Samsung and others plan to skyrocket available capacities in both the HDD and SSD markets in the next 3-4 years. One however doesn't have to wait that long since even today there are hard disk drives out there with massive capacities up to 14-15TB which for today’s needs are more than sufficient for the vast majority of the consumer base (professionals included). As some of you already know iStorage offers a complete line of PIN authenticated storage media devices and after doing reviews for both their diskAshur2 Portable Hard Drive and their datAshur PRO USB flash drive today we decided to take a look at one of their larger models and more specifically their diskAshur DT2 12TB Desktop Hard Drive.

   iStorage is the trusted global leader of award winning PIN authenticated, hardware encrypted data storage devices. Delivering the most innovative products to securely store and protect data to military specified encryption levels; safeguarding valuable business information whilst ensuring compliance to regulations and directives.

   Just like the diskAshur2 Portable Hard Drive the diskAshur DT2 12TB Desktop Hard Drive by iStorage (also available in 1/2/3/4/6/8/10/14TB capacities) is a PIN authenticated model (platform/device independent) the main features of which are the real-time military grade FIPS PUB 197 validated AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption and its built-in dedicated hardware based secure microprocessor (Common Criteria EAL4+ ready - defends the drive against external tamper, bypass laser attacks and fault injections). The aluminum housing used for the diskAshur DT2 not only looks and feels great but it also helps reduce the temperatures of the HDD placed inside and just like every other product by iStorage it's also filled with a layer of super tough epoxy resin which makes it virtually impossible for anyone to access the drive inside without severely damaging it. The diskAshur DT2 is also safe against brute force attacks ((after a total of 15 consecutive incorrect PIN entries the data stored in the drive is simply put wiped out) and thanks to the epoxy coated keypad you can use your very own key combination. If by any chance the above aren't enough for you then it's also worth pointing out that according to iStorage the diskAshur DT2 is the only NCSC CPA, FIPS 140-2 Level 3, NLNCSA BSPA and NATO Restricted Level certified encrypted desktop hard drive currently available in the market something that we feel speaks volumes about the level of security you can expect from it for your sensitive data. Finally along with the diskAshur DT2 iStorage bundles 2-year license keys for the ESET DriveSecurity and NERO BackItUp software suites.

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the front of the box we see a large product picture placed next to the main product features and a sticker with the capacity of the included drive.

 

 

The serial number, barcode and product capacity are printed on a sticker located on the left side.

 

 

A drawing of compatible devices and several drawings showcasing the bundle contents are placed on the right side.

 

 

Turning the box around we see the complete product features and specifications list printed in 5 languages.

 

 

Wrapped inside bubble wrap and placed in a formed piece of cardboard the diskAshur DT2 is safe during transport.

 

 

Along with the diskAshur DT2 Desktop Hard Drive iStorage also packs a USB host cable, wall adapter with 4 different plugs (EU/UK/USA/AU), ESET DriveSecurity and NERO BackItUp license papers and a quick start guide.

 

 

THE DISKASHUR DT2 12TB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aluminum enclosure of the diskAshur DT2 12TB Desktop Hard Drive weighs 1168g and measures 185.5mm in length, 112mm in width and 43.5mm in height/thickness.

 

 

It may come as a surprise but the diskAshur DT2 is actually smaller compared to some desktop hard drive models like the Backup Plus Hub by Seagate.

 

 

At the top of the enclosure we find the 13-key keypad along with 3 LEDs (locked/unlocked/HDD activity) and the company logo.

 

 

The company logo is also placed at the front of the drive while at the rear we find the on/off power switch, DC-in, USB 3.0 host port (USB 3.1 Gen 1 may be the same as USB 3.0 but since iStorage states that this is a USB 3.1 drive it would be best if that was reflected on this tag as well) and a Kensington lock.

 

 

Two long rubber feet extending from one end of the drive to the other are located at the base of the enclosure.

 

 

Inside the enclosure of the diskAshur DT2 12TB iStorage has placed a 12TB IronWolf SATA III HDD by Seagate (review here).

 

 

TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   Complicating things is not really our way so once again our testing procedure will be almost identical to the one we use with 2.5" external drives and 2.5"/3.5" external docking stations. Naturally we will also be comparing the product at hand with previously reviewed 3.5" external drives so you know what you're getting (we no longer include 3.5" enclosures in our charts). Our standard selection of benchmark suites is used here as well including the famous HD Tach RW (Long Bench 32mb Zones), HD Tune Pro (read/write -when possible- speeds), Sisoftware Sandra Pro (Read/Write - also when possible- speeds), AIDA64 (Linear Read/Random Read), Crystal Disk Mark x64 (100MB/1000MB read/write speeds) and finally the quite outdated yet highly reliable ATTO 2.47 (Max Read/Max Write speeds). Every test was repeated for a total of 6 times and after that the average (not peak) numbers were recorded into our charts. As always every test was performed in a fresh installation of Microsoft Windows 10 Pro with every update installed up to November 5th 2018.

 

 

TEST RESULTS - AIDA64 / ATTO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST RESULTS - HD TACH RW / HD TUNE PRO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST RESULTS - SISOFTWARE SANDRA PRO / CRYSTAL DISK MARK X64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST RESULTS – TEMPERATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Both the diskAshur2 and the datAshur PRO drives by iStorage may offer the same exact level/degree of ultra-high security for your sensitive data but they both lack one thing, very high capacity models. This of course is not a problem with the diskAshur DT2 line since it includes models with capacities ranging from 1TB and all the way up to 14TB. Capacity aside however performance is nothing less than stellar (thanks to the IronWolf SATA III HDD by Seagate) since the diskAshur DT2 12TB is clearly the fastest external desktop hard drive to reach our lab to this day. Build quality is also very good thanks to the aluminum enclosure (which also helps keep HDD temperatures in check) and as for the epoxy coated keypad just like with the diskAshur2 we had no issues while typing our PINs. If I could add one more thing to the diskAshur DT2 line that would be a RAID 0/1 model for even higher capacities and/or even data mirroring for increased data safety (14TB should be more than plenty for most people but there are always those who may want more both in terms of capacity and safety). That would naturally skyrocket the price of the diskAshur DT2 even higher but we feel that it would make a fine addition in their line.

   Hardware encryption products aimed towards demanding consumers, professionals and even government employees never come cheap and the diskAshur DT2 12TB Desktop Hard Drive is certainly no exception since it currently retails for 871.94USD inside the USA (Amazon) and for 862Euros inside the EU (Amazon UK). Such products of course are not targeted towards regular consumers so the price of the diskAshur DT2 12TB is well justified not only because of the level of security you’re getting for your sensitive data but also because of the included IronWolf drive (roughly 50% of the total cost). That being said although the diskAshur DT2 12TB Desktop Hard Drive is far from what we’d call affordable still it’s among the only solutions in the market for people looking to secure their sensitive data and depending on the size of that said data it could also be the only one which is why we’re giving it our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Excellent Build Quality (Aluminum Enclosure)
- PIN Authenticated Drive
- Security Measures (AES-XTS 256-bit Hardware Encryption/EDGE Chip/Interior Epoxh Layer)
- Epoxy Coated Keypad (Wear Resistant)
- Top Of The Line Performance
- Available In 1/2/3/4/5/6/8/10/12/14TB Capacities
- ESET DriveSecurity & NERO BackItUp 2 Year Software Licenses

CONS

- Price (For Some)