We all password protect our phones and devices, but is a password enough to protect your important information in the cloud? iStorage don’t believe so, and they’ve done something about it.
Product on Review: iStorage CloudAshur
Manufacturer: iStorage
Street Price: GBP: £99
iStorage is a British company specialising in the absolute and total protection of your data, complying with many stringent regulations and directives to safeguard valuable or sensitive data. We’ve looked at a couple of their storage drives in the past, with great praise given, but today we look at something a little different.
With our ever-increasing reliance on and use of data, including photographs, videos, music, work files etc. potential hackers have more incentive than ever to worm their way into your digital belongings, whether that’s to extract information or to demand a ransom to get it back. The iStorage CloudAshur is a data encryption device which is a little unique in its approach, carrying no actual data within the unit and instead providing a robust security measure for data stored in the cloud.
The CloudAshur uses real-time military grade AES-XTS or AES-ECB 256-bit hardware encryption through a FIPS PUB 197 certified USB 3.0 encryption controller to ensure your cloud data remains safe and secure. iStorage have also incorporated a robust, tamper-proof design that makes the device almost impossible to open without damaging permanently.
Of course, the device requires some bespoke software to function correctly, with iStorage’s CloudAshjur Remote Management and CloudAshur Key Writer. The software works in tandem to maintain security throughout.
The device itself is £99, to buy a single unit, but due to the nature of the device, volume-discounts are of course available to allow you to deploy this amongst your team, if you wish to keep business secrets safe.
Enough of all of that, anyway, let’s take a look and see what it’s made of.
iStorage on the CloudAshur:
cloudAshur is the perfect solution for anyone wanting to securely store, share, manage and monitor data in the cloud. cloudAshur eliminates the security vulnerabilities that exist with cloud platforms, such as lack of control and unauthorised access. Hackers are devising many sophisticated methods to target innocent and vulnerable users. Human error is also prevalent amongst data leakage incidents.
Technical Specifications
Technical specifications: HardwareHardware Security Module (patent pending)
Interface: FIPS PUB 197 certified USB 3.0 encryption controller
Battery: 3.7V Li-Polymer Rechargeable Battery
Weight:
With sleeve: 37grams
Without sleeve: 28grams
Dimensions – H/W/D: 87.40mm / 19.40mm / 13.40mm
Compatibility: cloudAshur is compatible with both PCs and MACs and works with numerous cloud providers including Amazon Drive, AWS with Amazon WorkDocs Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox/Dropbox Business, iCloud, Box with Box Sync, Egnyte, GSuite with Drive File Stream, HornetDrive, iDrive, Jottacloud/Jottacloud Business, MEGA/MEGA Business, pCloud Drive/pCloud Business, Synx.com/Sync.com Business, Tresorit/Tresorit Business, Yandex, Microsoft Azure File Storage with the 3rd party software “GoodSync” and many more. (All listed cloud providers have been tested by iStorage)Hardware data encryptionCan be configured in two encryption modes AES-ECB 256-bit (FIPS Compliant) and AES-XTS 256-bit.CertificationsFIPS 140-2 Level 3, NLNCSA BSPA & NATO Restricted Level (Pending Q3/Q4)
IS-EM-CA-256
Warranty: 3 years warranty with free lifetime technical support
Interface: FIPS PUB 197 certified USB 3.0 encryption controller
Battery: 3.7V Li-Polymer Rechargeable Battery
Weight:
With sleeve: 37grams
Without sleeve: 28grams
Dimensions – H/W/D: 87.40mm / 19.40mm / 13.40mm
Compatibility: cloudAshur is compatible with both PCs and MACs and works with numerous cloud providers including Amazon Drive, AWS with Amazon WorkDocs Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox/Dropbox Business, iCloud, Box with Box Sync, Egnyte, GSuite with Drive File Stream, HornetDrive, iDrive, Jottacloud/Jottacloud Business, MEGA/MEGA Business, pCloud Drive/pCloud Business, Synx.com/Sync.com Business, Tresorit/Tresorit Business, Yandex, Microsoft Azure File Storage with the 3rd party software “GoodSync” and many more. (All listed cloud providers have been tested by iStorage)Hardware data encryptionCan be configured in two encryption modes AES-ECB 256-bit (FIPS Compliant) and AES-XTS 256-bit.CertificationsFIPS 140-2 Level 3, NLNCSA BSPA & NATO Restricted Level (Pending Q3/Q4)
IS-EM-CA-256
Warranty: 3 years warranty with free lifetime technical support
Packaging & Closer Look
Featuring security seals at the top and bottom, iStorage are serious about ensuring the product arrives to you in top-top condition. The front clearly shows the product and briefly describes its function.
The reverse of the packaging gives plenty more information including which cloud services are supported (all of them, apparently) and what it’s main use cases are.
Featuring a helty aluminium outer shell, the device sports an IP58 dust and moisture resistance rating.
Sliding the outer shell away, the inside houses a alphanumeric keypad which is polymer coated and wear resistant to prevent hackers from figuring out which keys are commonly used.
Setup & Software
Setting up the software and encryption key(s) are a simple process of following the Quick Start guide. You’re advised to charge the device up for about 30 minutes before you begin but that’s a non-issue really. Once you’ve configured the device with a 7-15 digit pin, you can begin to set up the device to lock down your data.The Key Writer software is used to tie several devices together so they can be used anywhere around the world to unlock the same files, especially useful for businesses who share confidential data, such as upcoming product launches or early-stage design information.
The CloudAshur software lets you add cloud folders, as well as local folders that from then on are securely encrypted by the device, leaving the files entirely inaccessible without the Master or one of the Secondary CloudAshur USB keys. The process is relatively straight forwards and explained simply within the software.
Conclusion
Having evaluated the device thoroughly, it’s plain to see that iStorage have a novel design here, something which companies, and individuals alike, will find a use for, but at the moment it’s too fiddly and complex to really convince people to use it.The device itself is up to the usual standard from iStorage, impeccable design and build quality, genuinely a beautifully well-engineered piece, full to the brim with clever anti-hacking technology such as resin bonding the circuitry to the chassis, wear-resistant keys, and a stiff aluminium chassis which will easily protect it from all but the most extreme of treatment.
Setting up the software to a point where you can use the device is easy enough, with few hurdles in the way, but having to set it up on every machine you use instead of being a standalone device is a bit tedious if you happen to change your device often. At the very least, having the software available from within the device would be advantageous, to save you having to download the software from the website every time.
iStorage have presented a device that will be used by companies to great effect, but the whole process really needs to be streamlined, particularly by cutting back on the three pieces of software required for full control, or removing the need for software at all if possible. Having employees use the drive all the time, instead of just saving files to the cloud/their device will be the biggest stumbling block, but at least you know who to blame at that point, instead of an anonymous hacker.
Beautifully well-made. Great idea. Absolute, total security. Just needs to be easier to use on a daily basis.
Pros
+ Rock solid build, rugged quality
+ Absolutely tamper proof
+ IP68 water and dust resistant (with sleeve in place)
+ 5-factor security
Cons
– Expensive
– Awkward to use on a daily basis
+ Rock solid build, rugged quality
+ Absolutely tamper proof
+ IP68 water and dust resistant (with sleeve in place)
+ 5-factor security
Cons
– Expensive
– Awkward to use on a daily basis
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