Memory maker SanDisk has announced a deal with McAfee which will see malware protection included in SanDisk's Cruzer Enterprise USB drives.

The Cruzer range, which already includes password-protected hardware-based 256-bit AES encryption on the drive, is expected to include the new safeguard before the end of 2008.

The combination is designed to help prevent data loss from lost and stolen USB keys as well as from keys infected with malware when connected to a compromised PC.

"Adding McAfee's technology to our security solutions for the enterprise enables our customers to extend their security perimeter to mobile storage," said Roy Ramati, vice president and general manager of the enterprise division at SanDisk.

The scan engine examines every file saved or copied to the USB drive and, as well as protecting the information stored on the drive, uses anti-malware protection to prevent the drive becoming a carrier and infecting more machines as the user moves about.

"With today's increasingly mobile workforce, and the speedy proliferation of new threats, it's just as vital for organisations to protect portable devices from malware as it is to secure their perimeter," added Christopher Bolin, executive vice president and chief technology officer at McAfee.

The drives can also be managed with SanDisk's CMC server software which gives IT managers the ability to recover and renew passwords through the network, as well as monitor usage, remotely terminate lost drives and centrally back-up and restore data.