Kingston launches government-grade secure memory stick

Kingston Digital has unveiled a range of affordable, government-grade secure hard drives tailored for use within the enterprise.

The DataTraveler 4000-M USB Flash drive is touted as a best-in-class product, and includes support for 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard and FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validation, and comes with comprehensive device management features.

The drive locks down after 10 attempts to access data, and the encryption key is destroyed, the firm said, while administrators can configure complex password policies by requiring employees to enter specific password lengths and character types.

The AutoRun feature on the DT4000-M can be disabled and the device also comes with a waterproof, tamper resistant, titanium steel casing for physical security.

The USB sticks come with read speeds of up to 18Mbit/s and write speeds of up to 10Mbit/s, and in capacities of 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB.

All devices are USB 2.0 compatible and are designed to be used in conjunction with Kingston's DataTraveler Vault Privacy.

"Recent data loss statistics and events underscore the critical enterprise need not just for secure USB drives but for corporate-wide secure USB drive strategies," said John Terpening, secure USB business manager at Kingston.

"The DT4000-M provides the right level of security with the right level of cost, flexibility and ease of use."

The Kingston DT4000-M will start shipping in the first week of May. Prices excluding VAT start at £33 for the 2GB drive, rising to £115 for the 16GB version.

Unencrypted USB devices are still one of the main ways in which sensitive data goes missing from organisations.

In February, data protection watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office said that Cambridgeshire County Council lost an unencrypted memory stick containing personal information on at least six "vulnerable adults".

Meanwhile, security firm Avast said last week that USB devices are still the second biggest vector for malware, despite Microsoft's best efforts to close down this avenue for hackers by disabling the Autorun feature in Windows.