The subject of USB protection is increasingly publicized in the news as company/government employees loose customer data on stolen or lost laptops and USB keys. Password protecting USB contents can so easily be done using hardware or software solution. This post takes a look at both options.
USB flash security can be done in two main ways: using software applications or dedicated USB hardware.
Using USB protection software simply involves installing an application (e.g. tools like Bitlocker To Go or True Crypt) and selecting the files/folders that you want to password protect.
The protection software can be used on any USB key you currently have to protect existing file contents and some even synchronize your data with network share drives (i.e. for data backup protection). There is an onus on the user/employee applying the password protection and using a strong password, which may not always occur.
Hardware options involve using USB keys that have their own encryption chips that transparently encrypt all data as it is saved to the flash memory. A high level of chip security is applied even if the user/employee does not secure their data or use weak passwords. If hackers attempt to analyze the flash memory using data recovery software then the memory contents will be unreadable due to the high-level encryption.
On the downside, these encryption chip USB devices are not cheap and may prove too expensive for a company-wide roll out.
Both these options provide a level of data encryption that should be sufficient to stop all but the most dedicated hacker from accessing the contents of an employee’s USB key. Cost wise, using protection software is often the best solution.
Each company should provide their own USB protection policy; even to the extent some firm may ban their use for fear of intellectual property theft. In the absence of company policies the above options should protect you and your USB drive contents.
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