INTRODUCTION

   For reasons which have been evading me for the last decade or so it seems that most people (at least where i live) are not interested in hardware secure drives and yes that includes consumers, professionals and even government employees. Granted they do end up costing significantly more compared to regular models but at the same time they offer unparalleled security/protection for your sensitive data regardless of type (for example i use them to store personal family moments) and are OS independent (unlike software secure drives). On top of that you can actually pick how your hardware secure drive locks/unlocks and so aside the typical PIN authenticated models that feature keypads on them we now have Bluetooth enabled ones which you can lock/unlock from your smartphone and/or tablet. Over the years iStorage has released many popular and award winning hardware encrypted drives and today with me i have what's probably their fastest one to date the datAshur PRO+ C.

   iStorage is the trusted global leader of award-winning, PIN authenticated, hardware encrypted portable data storage & cloud encryption devices. iStorage offers the most innovative range of products to securely encrypt, store and protect data to military standards; safeguarding valuable and sensitive data to ensure compliance with stringent regulations and directives such as GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, NRC, GLB and DHS Initiatives. Founded in London, England in 2009 by John Michael, a serial entrepreneur, with 32 years’ experience within the IT Industry, iStorage has fast become recognised as a leading innovator and supplier of ultra-secure, easy to use and affordable portable data storage devices.

   The brand new datAshur PRO+ C by iStorage is currently available in 8 different storage capacities (4/8/16/32/64/128/256/512GB) and unlike its predecessors it uses a USB-C plug. Once again, this drive is secured with real-time military grade FIPS PUB 197 validated AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption (FIPS 140-3 Level 3 pending) via PIN authentication (8-15 digits in length / supports independent Admin and User PINs) and sports an IP68 certified (dust and water resistant up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes and crushproof since according to iStorage it can withstand the weight of a 2.7 ton vehicle) rugged aluminum enclosure, built-in 3.7v lithium-polymer rechargeable battery, super tough epoxy resin coating placed on its internal components and a polymer coated (wear resistant) alphanumeric keypad. As for functions iStorage has equipped it with an auto-lock (can be set to lock after a predetermined amount of time) and a Brute Force Hack Defence Mechanism which basically deletes both the PIN and all data stored in the drive after a total of 10 consecutive incorrect PIN entries, network whitelist (via unique VID/PID and internal/external serial number with barcode) and Bad USB protection (cuts off the drive completely from USB access until the proper password is entered). As for warranty iStorage still offers a 3-year limited one.