Integral Crypto SSD meets stringent FIPS 140-2 encryption requirements
UK-developed FIPS 140-2 validated self-encrypting drives in 6Gbps SATA III 2.5” and mSATA formats with capacities to 512GB offer government-body approved hardware encryption that is easy to deploy and easy to use, designed for Windows® desktops, laptops, ultrabooks and small form factors, while delivering speed and durability of solid-state storage.
London, 12th May 2014 – Memory and storage specialist Integral has launched a new addition to the market-leading range of Crypto SSD and Crypto USB Flash Drives, a new FIPS 140-2 validated series of SATA III 2.5” and world´s first FIPS 140-2 mSATA (MO-300) solid-state drives featuring military-level, hardware encryption that protects every bit of addressable data on the drive, right down to the base-level OS files and secured with AES 256-bit algorithms, that are NIST approved. As well as the secure, convenient protection of sensitive data, the new drives offer all the speed and durability benefits of solid-state storage, making this the preferred solution when compared to software encryption.
Protecting sensitive data through encryption is a mandatory requirement for a wide range of organisations, as government bodies impose increasingly severe penalties for data protection breaches resulting from lost and stolen computers. FIPS 140-2 validated Crypto SSDs are a ‘fit and forget’ solution with a low total cost of ownership (TCO) that will allow banks, law firms, educational establishments, healthcare professionals, local government and a variety of other business and public sector organisations to meet their data protection obligations.
Developed in the UK and available in capacities from 64GB to 512GB (SATA III 2.5”) and 64GB to 256GB (mSATA), the high-speed SSDs can be installed in desktops, laptops, Ultrabooks and small form-factor machines (for use as embedded secure storage). As well as quick configuration, Crypto SSD uses hardware-based full disk encryption (FDE) to offer a higher level of security than software-only encryption. Furthermore, unlike software, the disks place no additional overhead on the processor and with no requirement for on-going licence fees, a one-off investment delivers a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).
With Crypto SSD, all of the data on the drive including the operating system is 256-bit AES hardware encrypted at system shutdown. The security system is BIOS-independent and a user can only access the disk and initiate Windows® boot-up by entering the correct high-strength 8-16 character alphanumeric password. In the event of a brute force password attack, all encrypted data is automatically erased after a pre-set number of failed password attempts. The data and encryption key are securely destroyed and the Crypto SSD is reset. In addition, once encryption has been set, it is not possible to clone a Crypto SSD. Ultimately all the security features have been designed by Integral to prevent, at all times, any unauthorised access to data.
Offering a multi-lingual interface that significantly simplifies global deployments, the SSDLock program supplied with Crypto SSD FIPS 140-2 provides an easy-to-use, intuitive interface for system configuration. The Crypto SSD is the only BIOS independent SED on the market that offers both user and master passwords. Upon password setup, a unique ID can be set that enables Crypto SSDs to be linked to existing endpoint security systems.
Samik Halai Integral’s senior security product manager, comments: “In 2012, Integral Memory was first to market with true BIOS independent 256-bit hardware encrypted SSDs. I am delighted to announce we lead the way again in 2014 with the release today of the world’s first mSATA 6Gbps FIPS 140-2 validated self-encrypting solid state drive and alongside it, our new 6Gbps SATA III 2.5” Crypto SSD also with FIPS 140-2 certification by NIST. Looking to the future, Integral is currently developing OPAL compliant spec drives to be released later this year, as well as a 1TB SATA III 2.5” model”.
Crypto SSDs are compatible with Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. A two-year warranty is standard across the range. The Crypto SSD FIPS 140-2 range is available from leading IT resellers including Insight and Misco. Prices for the Integral Crypto SSD FIPS 140-2 (SATA III 2.5”) begin at around £193 / $308 for the 128GB capacity drive.
For more details on Integral Crypto SSD FIPS 140-2 click here.
For more details on Integral Crypto mSATA SSD FIPS 140-2 click here.
Why choose hardware encryption over software encryption?
The major difference between hardware encryption and software encryption is that with hardware based encryption, the encryption and decryption processes are carried out by a dedicated processor (part of the Integral Crypto hardware). In software encryption, the resources of the device on which the software is installed are used for the encrypting and decrypting of data. This makes hardware encryption much faster. Another significant advantage of hardware encryption is that the cryptographic key is stored in a separate inaccessible portion of memory storage, making it more secure than software encryption.
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PR Contact details:
James Danton
Integral Memory plc
Unit 6 Iron Bridge Close
Iron Bridge Business Park
London
NW10 0UF
Email: press@integralmemory.com
Web: www.integralmemory.com
About Integral
Integral Memory is a brand of Integral Memory plc, a company that began life in the UK in 1989 when, as Just RAMs plc, it supplied memory for very early PCs and data systems. Today the company designs and manufactures a wide range of memory and storage products encompassing DRAM, memory cards, USB drives, solid state drives (SSDs) and industrial memory solutions. In 2010 the company launched the ‘Crypto’ range of FIPS-validated USB drives that encrypt and protect sensitive data. In 2012 the Crypto brand was extended with SATA III SSDs offering military-level, AES 256-bit hardware encryption. 2013 saw the introduction of the world’s first FIPS 197 certified encrypted SSD in mSATA format.
Integral is a truly global organisation with headquarters and R&D and testing facilities in the UK and offices in France, Spain, The Netherlands, the USA and the UAE. Resellers in more than 50 countries sell the company’s products and customers include large corporates, government departments, educational institutions and a wide variety of business and personal users.
For more information visit www.integralmemory.com
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