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The need for more secure media devices to store the growing amount of user content seems indispensable today. Kingston rolls out its latest flash drive that appears to deliver this functionality to the hilt. The company’s DataTraveler ultra-secure USB flash drive is now certified for government-approved secure data protection.

Boasting of a FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certification with Level 3 pending, the drive also features 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption thanks to its utilization of the patented Secured by Spyrus technology. Employing XTS cipher mode, it also uses elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) algorithms that claim to meet Suite B standards approved by the U.S. government.

“The DataTraveler 5000 delivers unsurpassed levels of security and encryption to government and enterprise customers,” commented Nathan Su, Flash Memory Sales Director, APAC Region, Kingston. “This portable data solution represents state-of-the-art data protection while providing end users with the simplicity of plug and play.”

The FIPS 140-2 standard Level 2 ratification for the new DataTraveler 5000 means the drive has a tamper-evident construction and acts to notify any users of any tampering with. A power-on self test supposedly verifying that the encryption mechanism is running properly each time the drive is plugged into a USB port is also onboard. The company claims that the drive should soon attain a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certificate.

Compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista (SP1, SP2) and Windows XP (SP1, SP2, SP3), the drive supports file transfer and password protection functions as well. Around 3.06″ x 0.9″ x 0.47″ in dimensions, the drive is fabricated to USB 2.0 specifications. It is enabled to operate in temperatures ranging from 32°F to 140°F and can be stored at temperatures ranging between -4°F and 185°F. The secure drive additionally locks down after 10 intrusion attempts, destroying the encryption key. Boasting of enhanced complex password protection, it also includes a fully customizable Malware scanning option.

Sporting preload content, full security policy customization and casing options, the device is also waterproof and ruggedized with its titanium-coated stainless steel casing.

Backed by a guaranteed five-year warranty with free customer support, the DataTraveler 5000 is available in 2-, 4-, 8- and 16GB capacities as DT5000/2GB, DT5000/4GB, DT5000/8GB and DT5000/16GB. The pricing details though of this drive are not known.