USB Flash / Thumb Drive Recommendations

We are often asked for our advice regarding securing information on a USB flash drive. Our first response to this is that USB flash drives should NOT be used to store, exchange or transport sensitive information unless there is no other option. If you have no other option, then below are our recommendations for how to ensure your data remains protected. The first two options that utilize a keypad built-in to the USB device are the most secure and most versatile, but also the most expensive.

USB Device	Pros / Features	Cons
Apricorn Aegis Secure Key	Works in any system that reads USB drives No software needs to be installed on the host system FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified Auto-lock secures your data as soon as the drive is removed from the computer Auto self-destruct deletes all data if incorrect PIN is entered 10 consecutive times	Expensive
Kingtson DataTraveler 2000	Works in any system that reads USB drives No software needs to be installed on the host system FIPS 197 certified Auto-lock secures your data as soon as the drive is removed from the computer Auto self-destruct deletes all data if incorrect PIN is entered 10 consecutive times	Expensive
Kingston DataTraveler Vault Privacy	Works with Windows 7 and higher, Mac OS X 10.9 and higher, Linux v2.6.x FIPS 197 certified	Moderately expensive Must run software on the host to unlock the drive
BitLocker Encryption of any standard USB flash drive	Very cheap While not FIPS compliant, still fairly secure and sufficient for most data that does not contain PII or PHI	Only compatible with Windows-based machines Not FIPS compliant by default and not easy to enable