ViaSat launches USB range with CESG security approval

ViaSat UK has announced a line of USB Flash drives certified to store data classified up to top secret by the government's Communications-Electronics Security Group (CESG), in a bid to address the problem of data being disclosed on lost or stolen memory sticks.

The enhanced Eclypt Nano range offers rugged and waterproof Flash drives with built-in hardware encryption, offering four accreditation levels up to top secret, as attested under the CESG Assisted Products Service (CAPS) scheme.

Unencrypted USB sticks are frequently the cause of data loss incidents investigated by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and ViaSat said the new range would help cut down on this issue.

"Now government bodies can balance the strongest security as certified by CESG with the portability and practicality of a USB drive, combined with a rugged design," said the firm's chief executive Chris McIntosh. 

"As a result, the UK can have peace of mind that sensitive data can be protected to the appropriate level regardless of where it is, what it is being used for and by whom it is being used."

However, as McIntosh acknowledged, such protection is only any good if it is actually used, so organisations handling sensitive data need to have policies in place to ensure staff use the authorised devices when carrying information around.

"The greatest threat to data isn't from external attacks or sabotage. It comes from the belief that lost data is something that happens to other people," he added.

"High-profile losses of data from organisations such as BP, Zurich and the NHS show not just that a loss could happen to anyone, but that the damage caused in reputation and financial penalties can be enormous," he said.

Each Eclypt Nano uses 256-bit AES encryption, and supports both password and keystone authentication. Both are required at the highest accreditation level.

The company also offers management tools to provide oversight of USB drives being used within an organisation, and to ensure security policies are being enforced.

Commercial and public sector organisations can manage Nano drives using ViaSat's Orion management software, while government-level Nano drives use Eclypt Management Application (EMA) software, which allows cryptographic officers to manage devices under their jurisdiction, the firm said.

Eclypt Nano is available now in 2GB, 4GB or 8GB capacities, with prices starting at £99. The 8GB model with the highest accreditation level costs about £365.