Here is our review of the iStorage Diskashur M² SSD.
The diskAshur M² PIN authenticated, hardware encrypted SSD has a new, ultra-portable, rugged and sleek design, incorporating the most advanced security attributes that iStorage is renowned for.
The diskAshur M² encrypts data using FIPS PUB 197 validated, AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption and incorporates a Common Criteria EAL 5+ (Hardware Certified) secure microprocessor, which employs built-in physical protection mechanisms designed to defend against external tamper, bypass physical attacks and more.
The drive features ultra-fast backwards compatible USB 3.2 data transfer speeds and is available in capacities ranging from 120GB to 2TB. The diskAshur M² is lightweight, dust and waterproof (IP68 certified), shock proof (survives a drop of 4m on to a concrete surface) and crush-proof (withstands the weight of a 2.7 ton vehicle), making it extremely rugged and ultra-portable.
Features
What’s in the box?
The box contains the Diskashur M², carry case, instructions, a USB-C cable and a USB-A cable.
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The Diskashur M² is small and leightweight and is easy to carry around. You could slip it into your pocket, or you could keep it in the included carry case, which was a great idea to include in the box – it not only keeps the drive clean but it keeps it safe too!
Using the drive is very simple – plug it in, then just enter your code and the drive is ready to use. When you have finished with the drive just remove it and it locks automatically.
A nice feature is having an Admin code on the drive, so if you forget your code you can use that one to gain access. Out of the box, the drive doesn’t have an Admin code, so the first thing you have to do it set one up. It’s really simple, you just press a couple of buttons and then enter the chosen pin between 7 and 15 digits. You can then set up user pins, and even set up a user policy if you want to.
You may be wondering why the drive has a keypad and why you wouldn’t just use the keyboard on your computer to unlock the drive. It’s to stop keyloggers and brute force attacks from gaining access to the drive.
If you enter your code incorrectly 10 times in a row (for example if someone else is trying to guess your code) the user code is deleted. The only way to access the drive is to use the Admin code and reset the user code. If the Admin code is then entered incorrectly 10 times in a row that too is deleted and this time all the data on the drive is also deleted thus protecting whatever you stored on it, so you should feel safe in the knowledge that whatever happens your data is safe and secure.
The drive is recharged when it is plugged into a powered USB port, so don’t worry too much about it losing charge.
Using the drive is simple – once you have entered the PIN you use it just like any other drive, only everything stored on the drive is encrypted.
Speed wise the drive delivers up to 370MB per second read and up to 370MB per second write. But remember, it is hardware based encryption so that is far more important than speed.
You can set your own unique Self Destruct PIN which can instantly delete the encryption key, all PINs, all data and then creates a new encryption key so that the drive is blank.
There is also an auto-lock feature which you can set. This will automatically lock the drive after a set period of time between 5 and 99 minutes.
The keypad is even coated with a wear resistant epoxy so that you can’t tell which keys have been pressed more than others. When it comes to security, every little bit helps!
The Diskashur M² is a great solution if you want to not only protect your most sensitive files, but want them to be portable too – and add to that fact that the drive is very fast, all adds up to a fantastic combination.
The Diskashur M² is available with 120GB, 240GB, 500GB, 1TB (this one we reviewed) and 2TB. Prices start from £149, the 1TB drive is around £249).
