INTRODUCTION

   Even though secure storage drives are primarily aimed towards industry professionals and government employees who can't afford to have their sensitive data fall into the wrong hands it's a safe bet that most consumers also have data they'd like to keep private. Unfortunately due to the niche "nature" of these drives most consumers out there are unaware of them and that's something I’ve verified over the last couple of years after discussing about them not only with family members and friends but also friends of friends and random people I get to meet in various shows (even some of our readers from time to time). iStorage is the leading manufacturer of PIN authenticated secure drives and since we've really enjoyed testing and using several of their products in the past today we'll be testing yet another one out, the brand new datAshur PRO2 256GB USB 3.2 Gen 1 Hardware Encrypted Flash 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.

   According to iStorage the brand new datAshur PRO2 line of hardware encrypted flash drives (currently available in 4/8/16/32/64/128/256/512GB capacities - OS & platform independent) not only features an entirely new design but it's also largely improved compared to the previous datAshur PRO line. So leaving out the new USB 3.2 Gen 1 classification which is the latest way of saying USB 3.0/USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB 3.2 Gen 2 is the new name for USB 3.1 Gen 2 and there's also a brand new USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 classification for 20Gbps drives - yes the USB implementers forum has been busy, again) the brand new datAshur PRO2 is not only available in higher capacities (up to 512GB) but it also sports an IP58 certified housing (dust and waterproof beyond 1 meter depth - the datAshur PRO was IP57 certified and thus waterproof up to 1 meter), zinc alloy lanyard, extra shift key (via which you can use special characters for your PIN) and a common criteria EAL4+ ready secure microprocessor (defends the drive against external tamper, bypass laser attacks and fault injections – up until now only the diskAshur line had this feature). Everything else however remains pretty much the same so once again the drive is secured with real-time military grade FIPS PUB 197 validated AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption (FIPS 140-2 Level 3, NCSC CPA, NLNCSA BSPA & NATO restricted level certified) via PIN authentication (7-15 digits in length / supports independent Admin, User and even self-destruct PINs) and features a built-in 3.7v lithium-polymer rechargeable battery, tamper-proof super tough epoxy resin coating placed on its internal components and a polymer coated (water resistant) alphanumeric keypad. Of course, the datAshur PRO2 can be set to auto-lock (the drive can be set to lock after a predetermined amount of time) and read-only mode and is protected against brute force attacks so after 10 consecutive incorrect Admin PIN entries all data stored in the drive are securely erased (however after 10 consecutive incorrect user PIN entries you can still use the Admin PIN to access the drive). Just like with the datAshur PRO iStorage also allows you to personalize the datAshur PRO2 by laser etching your name, logo and/or message on the aluminum cover (top/sides) and covers the entire datAshur PRO2 family of secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 flash drives with a 3-year limited warranty and free lifetime support.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Just like with previous USB flash drives by iStorage the datAshur PRO2 gets shipped inside a clear plastic blister package from where you can actually see the drive.

In depth explanation about the product's main features can be seen from the rear of the package.

A small quick-start guide printed in several languages is placed in the blister package.

THE DATASHUR PRO2 256GB

The datAshur PRO2 features a black housing primarily made out of aluminum (the rear lanyard is made out of zinc alloy).

Measuring 87.40mm in length, 19.40mm in width and 13.40mm in thickness the datAshur PRO2 is among the largest USB flash drives we currently have in the lab.

At the top of the drive we find 12 rubber keys (polymer coated) and 3 activity LEDs.

To point out the brand new design of the datAshur PRO2 we placed it right next to the datAshur PRO and SecureData Secure USB KP drives.

On the other side we find the barcode, serial number, company URL, drive capacity and the included lithium-polymer battery voltage.

One of the things that changed from the previous model is that you can no longer enter the PIN while the drive is connected to your computer, instead you need to enter it prior to plugging it in.

TEST BED

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   Since flash drives are basically plain storage media devices just like solid state drives and hard disk drives, we are using almost the same testing methodology to successfully record the achieved performance numbers. The benchmark suites used are HD Tach RW (Read Speeds / Long Bench 32mb Zone Testing), HD Tune Pro (Read speeds), Sisoftware Sandra Pro (Read / Write speeds - some drives can't be tested for write performance), AIDA 64 Engineer Edition (Average Linear Read / Random Read speeds), Crystal Disk Mark x64 (100MB-1000MB Read / Write speeds) and finally ATTO (Max Read / Max Write speeds). Every test is repeated a total of 6 times after which the average performance numbers are recorded into our charts (0 = we were unable to complete that test).

   All tests are performed with our main rig running Microsoft Windows 10 Pro installation on a HyperX Predator 480GB PCIe SSD with all updates installed up to the date of this review. As always for comparison purposes in the charts you will also find many other flash drivers which have been tested using the same exact test bench as the one in this review (we really can't keep every flash drive we get forever and also even if we could test them all again and again would simply not be possible).

TEST RESULTS - AIDA64 / ATTO

TEST RESULTS - HD TACH RW / HD TUNE PRO

TEST RESULTS - SISOFTWARE SANDRA PRO / CRYSTAL DISK MARK X64

CONCLUSION

   The brand new datAshur PRO2 may not be as “compact” as its predecessor the award winning datAshur PRO (the zinc alloy lanyard is a bit over the top) but not only does it feature a higher-quality enclosure (also more durable) which at least in our opinion looks better but it also packs several features aimed at making it even more secure (something we didn’t think possible). We actually did use some hacking software tools as we always do with secure drives (we’re no hackers however) and most of them wouldn’t even recognize the drive when plugged into our systems (just like our hardware information tools). Leaving out the “secure” end of the datAshur PRO2 i have to admit that we did expect better performance levels (it does trade punches with the PRO model however) and we were also somewhat surprised to see that iStorage ships the drive without their 1 year DriveSecurity license but I’m sure this was done to make the drive more affordable than its predecessor.

   The iStorage datAshur PRO2 256GB USB 3.2 Gen 1 drive was introduced into the market just a couple of months ago and currently retails for USD315.11 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 313Euros inside the EU (directly from iStorage) a price tag which is actually quite balanced for what you’re getting in return (still not exactly affordable). With that in mind if you really need the capacities and extra security features offered by the datAshur PRO2 line of USB 3.2 Gen 1 drives by iStorage (either for work or personal use that matters not) there’s no better alternative right now in the market which is why we’re giving it our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Build Quality (IP58 Certified Aluminum Enclosure)
- Design
- PIN Authentication
- Security Measures (AES-XTS 256-bit Hardware Encryption / EAL4+ Ready CPU / FIPS 140-2 Level 3, NCSC CPA, NLNCSA BSPA & NATO restricted level certified)
- Good Performance
- Available in 8/16/32/64/128/256/512GB
- Laser Etching Service
- 3 Year Warranty with Free Lifetime Support

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Size
- DriveSecurity Suite No Longer Included