Tag: Security Measures

The Security of USB Flash Drives

Derek Rogers asked:

Even the biggest USB flash drive is still smaller than most people’s thumbs. Since we carry these devices to numerous locations, there is a fairly good chance that we will eventually lose them. If this should happen, most of us simply hope there was nothing sensitive on the drive. However, that is not the only thing you can do.

There are some basic USB flash drive security measures available.

If your flash drive carries some sensitive information that you hope to keep from ending up online by the next day, security measures available range from secure partitions to encryption options.

Secure partitions are a rudimentary form of security – a password protected partition is created on the drive, using a utility supplied by the manufacturer, this makes a public partition and a secure one.

In most cases, it is not possible to access these partitions at the same time, it is often necessary to log into the secure partition, hiding the public one. Not all controllers feature this limitation. Using a version of your utility, someone else could re-partition the drive. However, they would not have access to the data you have stored on the secure partition.

There are other USB flash drives that are much more specialised, they offer the same sort of secure, password protected partition. However, they also encrypt data stored on that partition, making it much harder for people to get to your data. While encryption algorithms can be broken, having encryption on your USB drive is an extra layer of security you can offer your data.

The down side to drives that use encryption is that some of them only perform this encryption in software that results in lower performance on the drive when encryption is enabled. Few manufacturers use a hardware based engine capable of encrypting and decrypting files at a higher speed to prevent performance penalties when you access a secure partition that’s using encryption.

The problem with both of these security approaches is that they are mostly dependent on software; the majority of manufacturers of USB flash drives only provide Windows based software support.

What does that mean for Macintosh users and people who use a Linux distribution or other unusual operating system?

Security for USB flash drives is mostly still a matter of keeping good track of them. While it is possible to access public partitions on almost all systems, accessing the secure partition generally requires access to Windows.

USB flash drive security is still in its infancy, since these drives aren’t routinely used by people with a need to secure their data. As they become more widespread and the need for security increases, expect flash drive security options to increase as well. For now, partitioning and encrypting are the major options available, though.

Windows users are in luck and can make use of both of these options effectively to preserve their data. However, users of operating systems that aren’t compatible with the software on the drive must simply try not to let their USB flash drives fall into the wrong hands.

The Superior Security of USB Encryption

Rg Hannah asked:

USB encryption prevents the unauthorized access by those thieves whose intention it is to make a profit from your proprietary data. Data thieves continue to be on the prowl and looking for companies with weak and ineffective security measures. USB encryption will provide the added security needed to perform business transactions effectively and protect your proprietary data. The technology is capable of protecting you from those independent from your company or your very employees. USB encryption will provide you with the necessary security to stop the theft and the exploitation of your confidential proprietary data. Protecting your proprietary data is the best thing you can do for your company.

USB Encryption Protects Proprietary Data

An important consideration for using USB encryption is that it will eliminate outsiders from accessing data but it reduces the opportunity for employees to circumvent company security measures as well. Company security measures remain strong when USB encryption reduces the possible exposure your company can suffer as the result of compromised proprietary data. Remember that proprietary data thieves can come from outside or inside your company walls. When data compromise has taken place be certain the cost of damage control will be very expensive. Making USB encryption the standard for your company can dramatically reduce your risk and prevent the compromise of proprietary data.

A key security feature of USB encryption is the ease of operation and functionality of drives. Personnel using the drives won’t notice the difference. Proprietary data can be utilized with very high transfer data rates. SanDisk Enterprise produces a drive with USB encryption with super fast transfer rates including units with 24MB rating for reading and 20MB for writing. Added security features files that are secured through partitioning. Drives with USB encryption are available with 8GB capacity which is ideal for most companies.

Reasons to Utilize USB Encryption

Implementing drives with USB encryption is simply the most secure storage technology for your proprietary data. Remember the proprietary data that mobile personnel carry around with them is confidential, and valuable to your company. Utilizing any other method to transport data other then a unit with USB encryption needlessly increases risks. To reduce the liability for compromise of proprietary data will required some rethinking on the management of data. However most of these risks can be eliminated by simply incorporating the use of drives produced by SanDisk Enterprises. USB encryption has the technology to protect and secure your proprietary data.

To take advantage of the technology that USB encryption offers means making these drives the standard to be utilized by everyone in your company. Your company just cannot trust its proprietary data to any other technology other then USB encryption. Many companies have suffered great financial loss and public trust through the use of less secure drives. Approve only a drive equipped with USB encryption like the ones offered by SanDisk Enterprise for use by your personnel. This is an effective way to secure your proprietary data. Consider the use of these drives an investment in your company’s future well being and prosperity.