We are often asked for our advice regarding securing information on a USB flash drive. Our first response to this is that USB flash drives should NOT be used to store, exchange or transport sensitive information unless there is no other option. If you have no other option, then below are our recommendations for how to ensure your data remains protected. The first two options that utilize a keypad built-in to the USB device are the most secure and most versatile, but also the most expensive.
USB Device
Pros / Features
Cons
Apricorn Aegis Secure Key
Works in any system that reads USB drives
No software needs to be installed on the host system
FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified
Auto-lock secures your data as soon as the drive is removed from the computer
Auto self-destruct deletes all data if incorrect PIN is entered 10 consecutive times
Expensive
Kingtson DataTraveler 2000
Works in any system that reads USB drives
No software needs to be installed on the host system
FIPS 197 certified
Auto-lock secures your data as soon as the drive is removed from the computer
Auto self-destruct deletes all data if incorrect PIN is entered 10 consecutive times
Expensive
Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy
Works with Windows 7 and higher, Mac OS X 10.9 and higher, Linux v2.6.x
FIPS 197 certified
Moderately expensive
Must run software on the host to unlock the drive
BitLocker Encryption of any standard USB flash drive
Very cheap
While not FIPS compliant, still fairly secure and sufficient for most data that does not contain PII or PHI
Only compatible with Windows-based machines
Not FIPS compliant by default and not easy to enable