Cyber Defense Magazine Global Edition for 2019

data security is the best defense against data
loss, as it eliminates the most commonly used
attack routes. This software-free method also
provides comprehensive compatibility with most
OS or embedded equipment possessing a USB
port.
Hardware-based encrypted USB drives are selfcontained,
don’t require a software element on
the host computer, and are the most effective
means in combating ever-evolving cyber threats.
Hardware-encrypted USB drives protect against
the possibility of brute force, sniffing and memory
hash attacks due to their security being selfcontained
inside the drive.
Software-based encrypted drives are designed
differently. They share a computer’s resources
with other programs. The encryption is not done
on the USB drive at all. Because of this
computer-based encryption process, the USB
drives themselves are vulnerable. In some
cases, there are compatibility issues with older
operating systems that may make the data
unreadable. In addition, reformatting a drive
before storing data can remove all encryption on
the drive, essentially turning a secured drive into
a standard, open drive.
How can I protect my company’s
sensitive data and not hinder
productivity?
Whether you are a local restaurant chain or a
manufacturing company, privacy and security
should always be front and center in how you
manage, transfer or distribute non-Cloud storage
of private / personal data. There should be
standardization for best practices for what’s
known as data “at-rest” or “in-transit.” While the
most common storage medium is the use of
inexpensive USB drives, the best practice is to
standardize on hardware-based encrypted USB
drives. This practice will provide efficiency and
security to mobile data for anyone. Even
accessing Cloud storage can be risky – while
you access the internet at a coffee shop,
someone else may be trying to hack your
system. If you carry your data on a hardwareencrypted
drive, you can work on your data and
keep your internet turned off while in an
untrusted open Wi-Fi area.
So, where to start? As a small or medium
business, you more than likely aren’t going to
need the same level of protection as large
companies and government agencies require.
There is a range of easy-to-use, cost-effective,
encrypted USB flash-drive solutions to choose
from that can go a long way toward mitigating
your privacy and security risks, and, quite
possibly, save you money and stress.
Encrypted USB drive manufacturers provide you
with options, no matter your needs. For example,
Kingston’s IronKey D300S USB Flash drive
features an advanced level of security that builds
upon the features that made IronKey wellrespected,
to safeguard sensitive information.
Its FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified, with 256-bit AES
hardware-based encryption in XTS mode, and
has anti-tampering security built in to protect all
internal components. It is an essential pillar to
setting security standards, corporate policies
and data loss protection (DLP) best practices
and compliance to global regulations such as the
CCPA and GDPR.
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