The world of online cloud storage

We live in a world of online cloud storage, where all our data is accessible everywhere and on any gadget. This has made the act of having physical storage media a lesser concern than it once used to be and more like a throwaway gadget with which we can do some cool things.

However, removing movies and episodes from streaming services and continual modifications to social media and other online archives have made physical storage more necessary than anything. We've all had a flash drive at some point, and they've grown throughout time, getting larger and more reliable.

IoT and rising concerns

With more than 40 lakh attacks on IoT (Internet of Things) devices, India is among one of the Top 10 Victims Countries lists in the world. This can be a disappointment for Tech Freaks and companies that have just begun using IoT devices but don't consider protecting their IoT devices such as smart cameras. Hackers didn't even flinch while penetrating the systems. That's how simple the breakthrough was.

“Simple methods like password guessing are used for getting the entry in IoT devices. Some sufferers of these attacks set passwords as naive as 'Admin.' And now, India has made it to the index of the top 10 countries that fell prey to IoT attacks in 2019,” reported CySecurity in 2019.

When looking for external storage, you may come across the IronKey series, a pretty flashy and eye-catching name for a simple flash drive. What distinguishes these from conventional flash drives and makes them so expensive? And, more importantly, is it worthwhile? Here's your comprehensive guide on understanding the IronKey.

IronKey: What is it?

IronKey is a flash drive brand created in the early 2000s by IronKey, a Homeland Security-funded Internet security and privacy startup that was later bought by Kingston. These were designed to provide additional security for the government, military, and business clients. While they function similarly to other flash drives, IronKey's hardware encryption differentiates it (and makes it rather pricey).

Though software encryption is simple and secure for most files, it is not as extensive or as powerful as hardware encryption, which integrates a cryptoprocessor into the device. The IronKey flash drive uses 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption in XTS mode, as well as FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation and on-device Cryptochip Encryption Key management. 

When you remove the flash drive, it senses physical tampering and immediately safeguards your data. You can use a sophisticated password or a secret phrase of up to 255 characters long to get to the files for further security, and if you fail to enter the right password ten times, the drive immediately shuts down and optionally destroys the files.

IronKey: Do you really need one?

So, do you require one? That varies on how you intend to make use of it. If you solely store schoolwork or images, paying $77 for an 8GB flash drive may be expensive. However, if you have sensitive corporate records or government secrets, it may be worth spending a bit more to avoid being the victim of a security breach.