INTRODUCTION

   The introduction of all the recent data privacy laws all over the world points to one truth we all know, data security is of the outmost importance, now more than ever before. The thing is however that even though this used to apply mostly to government and corporate employees with access to sensitive material/data today this applies to everyone and so it comes as no surprise to me that many people i know choose encrypted storage media to put their work and personal data/details in, some even use them for their private and family moments. This increase in demand is also responsible for the rather large number in available software and hardware based encrypted storage media with the latter clearly in the lead due to the extra layers of protection they offer. DataLocker offers some of the most advanced hardware encrypted storage devices in the market and today we're testing their Sentry K300 64GB Secure Keypad Micro SSD Drive.

   DataLocker (datalocker.com) is an innovative provider of encryption solutions. DataLocker offers encryption products such as external storage, cloud encryption gateways, and central management services for governments, military, and enterprises around the world. DataLocker provides leading encryption solutions under the DataLocker®, DataLocker Sentry®, SafeConsole® and IronKey EMS® by DataLocker brands. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, DataLocker products combine superior convenience and usability with state-of-the-art security. DataLocker is “Simply Secure.

   The DataLocker Sentry K300 is a platform independent USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.1) flash drive (currently available in 8GB/16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB/256GB capacities) featuring an IP57 certified, tamper resistant housing (dust and water proof up to 1 meter of immersion), alphanumeric keypad, OLED screen with complete onboard menu and FIPS 197 Certified AES 256-bit hardware encryption in XTS mode. Other layers of protection include a read-only mode, brute force hack defence, auto-lock and rapid secure wipe. Of course, DataLocker also has a central management software in place (separately sold) from where you can control several Sentry K300 drives remotely. Last but certainly not least DataLocker covers the entire Sentry K300 line with a 3 year limited warranty and thanks to its micro-SSD (uSSD) SATA III MLC NAND flash the Sentry K300 can also reach very high read and write transfer speeds and more specifically up to 220-100MB/s for the 8/16/32GB variants and up to 220-200MB/s for the 64/128/256GB variants.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

THE SENTRY K300 64GB

DataLocker ships the Sentry K300 inside a blister pack from where you can see the product, capacity and its main features.

System compatibility, a few words about the product and a small opening from where you can see (and scan) the drive's 2D barcode are all located at the rear of the blister pack.

The black textured body of the Sentry K300 model measures 101mm in length, 22mm in width and 13mm in height and weighs around 30g.

To have a much better idea about its size i placed the Sentry K300 right next to the DatAshur PRO2 and PRO models by iStorage, the SECUREUSB KP by SECUREDATA and the D300 by IronKey.

The 0.75 inch OLED screen of the Sentry K300 drive is the reason it's the longest one of the ones I’ve reviewed to date (but as you will all see later on for some it's worth it).

Unlike other hardware encrypted drives with keypads the Sentry K300 allows you to use both letters and numbers for your password (just press a button several times to get the desired number or letter).

At the rear we just see the 2D barcode, serial number and country of manufacture.

You can mount the cap on the rear of the drive while using it (something not possible with every encrypted USB flash drive out there).

Once you plug the drive into your PC, MAC or any other device it will ask for your password.

After that you just need to choose the preferred mode between connect (full access), read only and boot only.

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

   DataLocker is a name I’ve known for many years now so when they reached out and asked if I’d be interested in testing their products i had no reason to say no, quite the contrary actually. Now what makes the Sentry K300 stand out when compared to similar keypad USB flash drives is without doubt the combination of the OLED screen and the alphanumeric keypad which allow you to enter a password using both numbers and letters (harder to crack) and navigate the onboard menu. In terms of performance we had no problem surpassing the advertised speeds of the Sentry K300 64GB in ATTO, Crystal Disk Mark and Sisoftware Sandra Pro so no complaints here. As for its encryption capabilities we tried the same brute force methodologies as with previous reviews of similar products without luck. Once again however since we’re neither hackers or crackers and thus our knowledge in that field is limited, we can’t say with 100% certainty that these drives are foolproof and can withstand everything (still that’s something their certifications should guarantee).

   Currently the Sentry K300 64GB Secure Keypad Micro SSD Drive by DataLocker retails for USD196.87 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 272Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) a price tag which is right on par with what we’ve come to expect from keypad encrypted USB flash drives. The Sentry K300 however does have two aces up its sleeve, it’s OLED screen with the onboard menu functionality and the alphanumeric keypad so at least for most people it offers a better price/feature ratio than its competition. On the other hand, some of its competition does offer extra layers of protection (and some certifications along with them) so at the end of the day it all comes down to what you’d like most. Personally, I really liked using the Sentry K300, performance is there, most security layers are there as well and in terms of features the OLED screen and the alphanumeric keypad can really make things easier for you (and harder for others) and that’s why it clearly deserves our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality (IP57 Certified Enclosure)
- Security Measures (AES-XTS 256-bit Hardware Encryption / FIPS 197 Certified)
- Very Good Performance
- OLED Screen (Onboard Menu)
- Alphanumeric Keypad (Numbers & Letters For Password)
- Central Management Software (Extra)
- 3 Year Limited Warranty

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Lacks Some Security Certifications