New USB Flash Drive Has Top-Secret Clearance

Face it. A USB flash drive can be a really great way to carry around data you need to get your hands on when you're away from your computer or network.

Problem is, you're not gonna put anything too sensitive on it for fear of losing it.

Which brings you back to square one, getting access to important files on the go.

Check this out: IronKey S200 has pretty high federal security validation: "FIPS 140-2, Level 3 Validation." Oh, FIPS 140-2? Why didn't you say so sooner? FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standard and the 140-2 refers to the publication that details what this means. And Level 3? That's the second-highest level of security the feds validate. So while folks from the Pentagon might not put launch codes on one of these flash drives, they might be willing to put, oh, everyone's lunch orders on there.

It works with Windows XP, 2000 and Vista, as well as Mac OS and Linux. And it's waterproof to military specs.

But seriously, here's what the drive has in the way of security:
  • AES 256-bit hardware encryption in CBC mode automatically protects files — no software to install; uses the algorithm required by DoD for storing Top Secret data
  • Security Level 3 FIPS 140-2 validated tamper-resistant and tamper-evident design that includes: 
    • Hardened epoxy potting compound completely encasing the chips
    • Secure key management – encryption keys are born on the device in the Cryptochip and bound to the device
    • Hard-wired encryption key self-destruct defenses and electromagnetic shielding of the Cryptochip
  • Active malware defenses include:
    • AutoRun protection – secures against AutoRun worms
    • Read-Only mode – enables the device to be unlocked to read files but prevents malware on untrusted hosts from infecting the drive
    • Trusted Network restriction – prevents the drive from mounting on uncontrolled PCs
    • Optional antivirus/anti-malware scanning cleans the device in the background
  • Remote management software — enterprise-class management capabilities, including remote policy enforcement, remote data destruct, secure device recovery and self-service password recovery
Its Mac support even allows remote data wiping and tracking, in case the Soviets should get their mitts on it.