INTRODUCTION

    Whether you're a government official or working for a big industry leading company and you're carrying sensitive data or even if you're just a regular consumer looking to securely store private data using a hardware encrypted drive is a given. Yes, you can also rely on software encrypted drives since they do work well as basic tools (and cost considerably less) but if you want the best possible data encryption/protection nothing can surpass a hardware encrypted drive and well, that's exactly why I’ve been using such devices for well over a decade. Kingston has released quite a few hardware encrypted drives over the years with their IronKey line clearly standing out and so today I'll be testing one of their latest flash drive models to hit the market, the D500S 256GB.

    Kingston Digital Europe Co LLP and Kingston Technology Company, Inc., are part of the same corporate group (“Kingston”). Kingston is the world’s largest independent manufacturer of memory products. From big data, to laptops and PCs, to IoT-based devices like smart and wearable technology, to design-in and contract manufacturing, Kingston helps deliver solutions used to live, work and play. The world’s largest PC makers and cloud-hosting companies depend on Kingston for their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels technology used by the world every day. We strive beyond our products to see the bigger picture, to meet the needs of our customers and offer solutions that make a difference. To learn more about how Kingston Is With You, visit Kingston.com.

   The IronKey D500S USB 3.2 Gen 1 hardware encrypted USB drive by Kingston features an IP67 certified (water and dust proof) zinc alloy enclosure (filled with epoxy for internal component protection), is available in two versions (D500S standard / D500SM managed) and in a total of 7 different capacities (8/16/32/64/128/256/512GB). As expected the D500S is FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certified (pending to be exact - new NIST enhancements) and features XTS-AES 256-bit encryption, dual hidden partition mode, BadUSB immunity via a digitally signed firmware, thermal and voltage protection, custom password requirements with minimum characteristics (complex) and/or passphrase (10-128 characters long),  crypto-erase password (key sequence), two read-only modes and a Brute Force defense mechanism which auto-formats the drive after a total of 10 consecutive incorrect password entries. Kingston also makes the D500S fully customizable (not only its software but also the logo on the enclosure) and as for warranty they cover the standard D500S with a 5-year limited one and the managed D500S with a 2-year limited one.