It’s not often one waxes lyrical about something as mundane as a portable drive but this unit is rather special. Firstly, the build quality seems very high – it can take a drop onto a hard surface of a couple of metres (I found this out the hard way!); the rubberized body makes secure handling easy; and the keypad is positive in use and nicely recessed. And of course, you can now buy these drives in Solid State so they should be even more robust in the event of being dropped. The drive comes with a double USB (Y-split) cable in case using a netbook or similar device, not enough power is available from a single USB port but I’ve never needed to use the second connector with a PC, laptop or netbook. Encryption is a breeze – you’re not even aware of it happening. My drive connects via USB2 and transfer speeds are more than adequate – I opted for the higher (256bit) level of encryption so I can’t comment on whether the 128bit version delivers a higher transfer rate. Setting up your pass-key takes less than 2 minutes (less than 1 minute unless you’re a fumbler like me) and then you are ready to encrypt your files and folders. Of course, whatever you do, never forget your pass-key as recovery of data is not possible – your data are even secure against Brute Force Attack. For anyone working in sensitive areas who needs to transport digital documents, these British-designed and manufactured drives are a must. If those chaps from MI5, MI6, the MOD or the National Health Service leave their sensitive files on yet another train, provided they’re written onto one of these drives and 256bit encrypted, I for one will sleep well in my bed. Superb design, top build quality, excellent on-the-fly encryption – and now available in SSD format and larger volumes, it’s a winner!

The datAshur device has been evaluated by myself and has proved to be an excellent alternative to some of our current methods of encryption. It is very user friendly and therefore easy to use and this has been the main focus for our staff at the University. We currently have a number of projects at the University involving research data related to the NHS, and a requirement from the NHS contract is that the data is kept secure at all times (including whilst in transit). Previously we were using another encryption solution which was not very user friendly and staff had to be trained on how to encrypt the data. After evaluating the iStorage Product, I recommended that we purchase and use the diskAshur DT instead (I believe you have received an order for one of those devices a few weeks ago). I also aim to make this our standard recommendation for deployment of data whilst in transit and specifically when required to protect sensitive data. I am currently using the iStorage datAshur flash drive for demonstration purposes to various departments / project managers, when they are looking for an easy to use encryption solution for a project. I Have found it very useful to show staff members a ‘hands on’ approach as to its ease of use.

We were looking for a simpler way to secure documents being worked on by our affiliates, who might not have secure encrypted laptops. The datAshur encryption met our requirements perfectly, as it can work in any USB port, be it Windows PC, Apple Mac, or even Linux. No software needs loading, so we can also send a datAshur to even our large clients who have locked-down PCs. Communicating the password via a separate route means that we can be sure that our clients’ information won’t fall into the wrong hands. We tested the datAshur’s security and, not surprisingly, our experts couldn’t crack it. At present it’s the only device of its kind on our approved list.

“As part of the on-going digitisation of Radiology Services here at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (WWL), we have, in conjunction with Philips Healthcare, chosen to use iStorage diskAshur with 256 bit encryption as part of an enterprise secure solution to meet the needs of our Breast Screening Services to the patients of WWL. From a security standpoint, the devices are government approved and meet the NHS current requirements of 256 bit encryption of data for transport and from an operational aspect provide a very effective way of securely transporting patient data. The disks themselves are also very easy to use by our breast screening staff, once the security pin code has been input. They are rugged and designed in a manner which prevents damage. As with many breast screening services of NHS Trusts, WWL provides screening in the wider community, for example you may have seen breast screening vans on supermarket car parks or at community or educational establishments to facilitate ease of access for patients. We use the secure diskAshur devices to store patient images from computerised radiography equipment on-board the screening vans, after which the disks are transported back into the hospital for uploading and processing on our computerised radiology systems for diagnosis. The diskAshur devices both protect the patient’s sensitive data as well as WWL’s reputation as a leader of delivering secure effective digitized clinical services to the patients of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust”.

As a Head Teacher I have found the iStorage invaluable in providing peace of mind when transferring information between settings. I am confident that the data is secure and is unable to be accessed by anyone else. The technical support and advice offered has been efficient and supportive at all times. I highly recommend the iStorage as a safe and secure way of saving and using and transporting data.

The iStorage datAshur devices are perfect for a school environment. At Ruislip High we use them for backups and any other situation requiring maximum high visibility security. The 3Tb drives are ideal as part of our virtual server backups and are very very fast. The smaller 1TB drives are perfect for backing up our SIMS server and the wee 16Gb unit ideal for those times when data goes offsite and we want to be visibly secure. By: Miss G. Morris, Head Teacher of Whitby Heath Primary School

Kingston University holds various sets of sensitive data and in line with various regulatory & policy requirements needed a secure method of storage for mobile workers. An evaluation of secure usb sticks was carried out by technical staff and the iStorage datAshur devices were the only devices to meet the University technical requirements. The devices are easy to use, inexpensive and very suitable in a mobile worker environment where data security is critical. By: Graham Hickman, Network Manager, Ruislip High School

“We are really happy with the drives and they were really easy to use and set up” I bought 30 IStorage 4gb USB drives for the staff in my school because I wanted to make sure that the data on it would be secure. We are really happy with the drives and they were really easy to use and set up. I would happily recommend them to other schools in need of secure USB drives.

“This is a device used daily and I have every confidence in its effectiveness and level of protection” Since acquiring the iStorage datAshur our school security has been immeasurably strengthened and enhanced. The level of security obtained, as required by law, is more than sufficient for our needs and allows our commitment to the protection of pupils and data to be fully-applied. The ease with which the staff adapted to what can be an intimidating expectation is a testament to how user-friendly the datAshur is. We are now confident that our pupil data is secure and that we fulfil the requirements of all legislation. This is a device used daily and I have every confidence in its effectiveness and level of protection. The simple mantra of ‘key-pin-key-in’ is memorable for even the greatest techno-phobe.

Total Rehab Solutions Ltd “The drive itself feels like it is of exceptional build quality, and subsequent data transfer was straightforward and fast” Our company stores a substantial amount of sensitive personal data, including medical records. I brought the ‘diskG Portable Encrypted Hard Drive with Secure PIN code access ’ to ensure not just secure data backup, but also to comply with ISO standards, (as we are pursuing certification for 27001). Because of my ineptitude with all things IT-related, I decided to call iStorage to make sure I set the drive up correctly (even though it comes with clear and simple instructions)! To my amazement, the support line was answered after just 3 rings, and I was soon talking to a knowledgeable and friendly member of their tech-support team. He talked me through the setup process to configure my own PIN, and that was it, job done in about 2 minutes. The drive itself feels like it is of exceptional build quality, and subsequent data transfer was straightforward and fast.