Comparison of encrypted external drives
This is a technical feature comparison of commercial encrypted external drives.
Background information
| Name |
Developer/Manufacturer |
Release Year |
Current Model? |
| SafeStick |
BlockMaster |
2004 |
Yes |
| SafeStick SuperSonic |
BlockMaster |
2009 |
Yes |
| IronKey S100 |
IronKey |
2005 |
No |
| IronKey S200 |
IronKey |
2009 |
Yes |
| IronKey D200 |
IronKey |
2009 |
Yes |
| CryptX2 |
CryptX2 / Open Source |
2012 |
Yes |
| DataTraveler 5000 |
Kingston Technology |
2010 |
Yes |
| DataTraveler Locker+ |
Kingston Technology |
|
Yes |
| DataTraveler Vault |
Kingston Technology |
|
Yes |
| DataTraveler Vault – Privacy Edition |
Kingston Technology |
|
Yes |
| JumpDrive SecureII Plus |
Lexar |
|
Yes |
| IronClad |
Lockheed Martin |
2010 |
Yes |
| Cruzer Enterprise |
SanDisk |
|
Yes |
| Store 'n' Go Corporate |
Verbatim |
|
Yes |
| Kanguru Defender 2000 |
Kanguru Solutions |
2012 |
Yes |
| Name |
Developer/Manufacturer |
Release Year |
Current Model? |
Operating systems
| Name |
Windows |
FreeBSD |
Linux |
Mac OS |
NetBSD |
OpenBSD |
| SafeStick |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| SafeStick SuperSonic |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| IronKey S100 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| IronKey S200 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| IronKey D200 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| CryptX2 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| DataTraveler 5000 |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| DataTraveler Locker+ |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| DataTraveler Vault |
Yes |
No |
Public partition only |
Public partition only |
No |
No |
| DataTraveler Vault – Privacy Edition |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| JumpDrive SecureII Plus |
Yes |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Unknown |
| IronClad |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Cruzer Enterprise |
Yes |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Yes |
Unknown |
Unknown |
| Store n' Go Corporate |
Yes |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Unknown |
| Name |
Windows |
FreeBSD |
Linux |
Mac OS |
NetBSD |
OpenBSD |
Features
- Bootable: Whether (with the appropriate OS installed on the drive and supporting BIOS on a computer) the drive can be used to boot a computer.
- Encryption Type: Type of encryption used.
- Certification: Whether FIPS 140-2 or similar validation has been passed.
- Managed: Whether enterprise level management software for maintaining large numbers of devices is included.
- Interface: List of USB, Firewire, eSATA, or other interfaces for connection a computer.
- Max Capacity: Maximum size drive is available in.
- Included Software: List of any included software, excluding any standard freeware or trialware obtainable by an end user.
- Other Features: Other notable features that differentiate the device.
| Name |
Bootable |
Encryption Type |
Certification |
Managed |
Interface |
Max Capacity |
Included Software |
Other Features |
| SafeStick |
No |
AES 256-bit CBC Hardware Encryption |
CESG CCTM, FIPS 140-2[1] |
Optional (with SafeConsole) |
USB 2.0 |
128GB |
|
Inactivity lock |
| SafeStick SuperSonic |
No |
AES 256-bit CBC Hardware Encryption |
CESG CCTM, FIPS 140-2[1] |
Optional (with SafeConsole) |
USB 2.0 |
8GB |
|
High transfer speeds, Inactivity lock |
| IronKey S100 |
No |
AES 128-bit CBC Hardware Encryption |
FIPS 140-2 Level 2 |
Enterprise Model only |
USB 2.0 |
16GB |
Identity Manager; Secure Sessions |
|
| IronKey S200 |
No |
AES 256-bit CBC Hardware Encryption |
FIPS 140-2 Level 3 |
Enterprise Model only |
USB 2.0 |
16GB |
Identity Manager; Secure Sessions |
|
| IronKey D200 |
No |
AES 256-bit CBC Hardware Encryption |
FIPS 140-2 Level 3 |
Enterprise Model only |
USB 2.0 |
32GB |
Identity Manager; Secure Sessions |
|
| CryptX2 |
Yes |
AES 256-bit CBC Hardware Encryption |
No |
No |
USB 2.0 |
64GB / Future Support for 4TB |
No Software Required |
ID Verify, Panic Mode, Upgradeable Firmware |
| DataTraveler 5000 |
No |
AES 256-bit XTS Hardware Encryption |
FIPS 140-2 Level 2[2] |
No |
USB 2.0 |
16GB |
|
Water resistant |
| DataTraveler Locker+ |
No |
Hardware Encryption |
No |
No |
USB 2.0 |
32GB |
No |
|
| DataTraveler Vault |
No |
AES 256-bit Hardware Encryption |
No |
No |
USB 2.0 |
32GB |
DTVaultLock |
Second unsecured partition |
| DataTraveler Vault – Privacy Edition |
No |
AES 256-bit Hardware Encryption |
No |
|
USB 2.0 |
32GB |
|
Waterproof to 4' |
| JumpDrive SecureII Plus |
No |
Hardware |
FIPS 140-2 ? |
|
USB 2.0 |
|
|
|
| IronClad |
Yes |
AES 256-bit CBC Hardware Encryption |
FIPS 140-2 Level 3 |
Yes |
USB 2.0 |
16GB |
|
|
| Cruzer Enterprise |
No |
Hardware |
FIPS 140-2 ? |
Yes |
USB 2.0 |
|
|
|
| Store 'n' Go Corporate |
No |
Hardware |
FIPS 140-2 ? |
|
USB 2.0 |
|
|
|
| Name |
Bootable |
Encryption Type |
Certification |
Managed |
Interface |
Max Capacity |
Included Software |
Other Features |
See also
Notes and references
- 1 2 FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Pending
- ↑ FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Pending