The Kingston IronKey Series
The Kingston IronKey series represents a line of highly secure, hardware-encrypted storage solutions designed to protect sensitive data against various threats, including unauthorized access, malware, and physical tampering.
What the Product Does
IronKey devices are engineered to provide a secure environment for storing and accessing critical data. These devices are OS-independent, meaning they can be used across different operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X, and various Linux distributions. This versatility ensures that users can securely manage their data regardless of the platform they are using.
Key Features and Functionality
Hardware Encryption
IronKey devices employ advanced XTS-AES 256-bit hardware encryption, which is certified or pending certification under stringent standards such as FIPS 140-3 Level 3 and FIPS 197. This encryption ensures that data is protected at the hardware level, providing military-grade security.
Secure Access
The IronKey Keypad 200, for example, features an alphanumeric keypad for easy-to-use PIN access. The keypad is coated with a layer of polymer to hide key usage through fingerprint analysis, and it includes Brute Force password attack protection. If the Admin PIN is entered incorrectly 10 times, the device will crypto-erase the data, destroying it forever and resetting the device.
Tamper-Evidence and Physical Protection
The circuitry of IronKey devices is covered by a special epoxy layer, making it virtually impossible to remove components without damaging them. This design is tamper-evident, alerting owners to any attempts at physical tampering. Additionally, devices like the IronKey Keypad 200 are waterproof and dustproof, meeting IP57 certification standards.
Read-Only Modes
IronKey devices offer dual Read-Only modes: a Global mode set by the Admin and a session-only mode set by the User. These modes protect the drive from malware on untrusted systems, allowing users to access data without the risk of modification or infection.
Additional Security Features
- Auto-lock timeout: The device can be set to lock automatically after a period of inactivity.
- BadUSB protection: Digitally signed firmware prevents BadUSB attacks.
- Anti-malware protection: Features such as preventing modifications to Autorun.inf files ensure that malware cannot execute from the device.
User Management
The IronKey Keypad 200 allows for Multi-PIN options, including Admin and User PINs. The Admin can restore a User PIN, provide access if the User PIN is forgotten, or reset the device if it is locked after 10 failed login attempts.
Data Recovery and Backup
IronKey devices come with Secure Backup software, enabling users to back up their data securely and recover it to a new IronKey if the original device is lost or compromised. This ensures data integrity and availability.
Stealth Browsing and Password Management
Some IronKey models include features like Stealth Browsing Technology, which allows safe and private web browsing through any network, and a Self-Learning Password Manager to securely store and back up online passwords.
Conclusion
In summary, the Kingston IronKey series offers a robust set of security features, ensuring that sensitive data is protected against a wide range of threats, from unauthorized access and malware to physical tampering. Its ease of use, combined with advanced security technologies, makes it an ideal solution for individuals and organizations requiring high levels of data security.