Small, fast, convenient, and able to carry large amounts of data: USB drives have become almost as essential to modern business as a phone or computer. Yet, the convenience of a USB drive brings with it a barrage of security threats:
- The size of a USB makes it far too easy to lose (let’s face it, we’ve all been there!)
- If found, information can easily be stolen and disseminated
- The mobility of a USB means it is knocked around in pockets and bags and can be too easily damaged or broken
- Using a USB on any computer means that there may be a trace of the data left on the computer
For convenience and peace of mind, an encrypted USB drive is a must. Once the domain of government agencies, the military and high finance, encrypted USBs are now a business staple for anyone who needs to access information on the go.
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is an international standard for the encrypting and decrypting of data. Encryption simply means changing the data so it’s not decipherable, and the AES process is built into encrypted USB drives, working automatically any time the drive is used.
When an encrypted USB is first used, the authorised user is asked to create a PIN or password. From that moment, the USB and its contents can only be accessed by first entering the PIN. The data is encrypted and remains this way until the PIN is entered. The data is then decrypted (making it intelligible again) and is instantly available to the user. At this point, the drive works like any other USB. After the USB is removed, there is no trace of the data or the password details left on the computer.
However, if someone who is not authorised to use the USB tries to gain access, without the password they are out of luck. As an extra layer of security, many encrypted USB drives have a feature that disables the device and/or deletes its contents after a certain number of failed log-in attempts.
For this reason alone, the use of encrypted USBs should be made part of any organisation’s data protection program.
Encrypted USB’s also tend to offer greater physical security than a standard usb flash drive. Made of strong, hardy materials, they are tamper-proof and resistant to brute force attacks… or even the everyday wear and tear that results from being attached to key rings or bounced around in bags.
Available with a range of data sizes, an encrypted USB can safely store your valuable data as effectively as they can withstand being sat on in your back pocket. They’re far easier to travel with than a backup drive, and often more secure and physically robust.
With technology such as this now easily available, it makes sense use this extra level of protection, especially for such a high-risk area such as digital information.
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