IronKey rolls out special edition "military-grade" flash drive
By Donald Melanson 
posted September 21st 2007 3:13PM
posted September 21st 2007 3:13PM
While it doesn't look like it'll hold up to quite the same "nuclear stresses" as the apparently unrelated Iron Drive, the new IronKey: Enterprise Special Edition flash drive looks like it should at least keep your data safer than the average USB stick. Helping it in that regard is the drive's "military-grade" hardware encryption, which makes use of AES cryptography and authentication and requires no other hardware or software. As if that's not enough, the IronKey also boasts some security measures that'll trigger a self-destruct sequence if someone tries to tamper with the drive, which we assume will only destroy the data, not the drive itself (though we can hope). Otherwise, the drive supposedly exceeds military waterproof standards, and each one boasts a unique serial number to let higher-ups keep tabs on each drive. Of course, all that comes at a bit of a premium price, with the drive running $80, $110, and $150 for 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB versions, respectively.[Via EverythingUSB]
I thought serial numbers were normally unique!
Does it come in gunmetal?
why don't you just wrap a normal one in tape er something..
Ah well...
One thing Ben Heck can never use...
I want to see this thing meet a blender.
IronKey smoke.
Don't breathe this.
You could buy 6 2GB USB flash drives for the price of one of those...
The self destruct feature actually does destroy the drive. It literally blows up some of the flash chips in it if you type in a wrong password 10 times in a row.
Yes, That is true. I wish people who blog about these things would actually read about the things that they are blogging about instead of changing reality to make their article sligtly more interesting.
I doubt that. This is what EverythingUSB had to say about it:
If someone attempts a brute-force attack, the IronKey will "self-destruct" (at least metaphorically) by eliminating any chances of data recovery by overwriting data to it in the hardware level. This sort of security measure is similar to Kingston Data Traveler Secure.
http://www.everythingusb.com/ironkey_13038.html
And here is what IronKey says about it:
After 10 incorrect password attempts (and ample warnings), the IronKey locks out all further password attempts. It initiates a patent-pending self-destruct sequence that securely and permanently erases your encryption keys and data. You can use IronKey's Secure Backup software to restore your backed-up data to a new IronKey.
https://www.ironkey.com/devicesecurity
IronKey's patent-pending "flash-trash" methodology incorporates an exhaustive hardware erase of all flash and Cryptochip memory. This is not a simple clearing of file allocation tables, but a secure overwriting of data. This is done in hardware rather than via a software application for the ultimate protection. You, personally, should not be physically harmed when this happens.
https://learn.ironkey.com
Engadget was obviously making a joke about the drive actually, LITERALLY exploding or otherwise being physically destroyed. That is NOT the case--your stupid comments notwithstanding. Why don't you do a little research before ripping into Engadget's talented writers?
@Daryl
Why would you need to buy a 'new Iron Key'? Because the 'self-destruct' includes destroying the cryptokey, meaning that portion of your drive is now sealed off completely.
What is there for those of us who use these things on a daily basis, but keep losing the cap? I can't find a big USB flashkey (8, 16GB) that has a smart way of covering the connector like some of the Lexar products: http://www.lexar.com/jumpdrive/jd_360.html
product plug please?
Memorex has a similar "capless" design, Nate. Oh, the have 8gb, too.
http://www.memorex.com/html/products_detail.php?section=3&CID=12&SID=16&PID=1150&FID=210&opento=12
I wonder how many people will use this for there illegal files ?
Too bad this is totally illegal to plug into Military computers.
Whoever up there was trying to sound smart and prove me wrong...
"Passwords can be hacked, but not the IronKey. It's built to withstand attacks both virtual and physical. 10 incorrect password attempts, and the encryption chip self-destructs, making the contents of the flash drive totally unreadable. The contents of the drive are filled with epoxy, so if a hacker tries to physically access the chips, he'd more likely damage them instead. Even if he did get access to the memory chips, they'd be worthless without the encryption chip."
ThinkGeek.com
It doesn't actually blow up in your hand as if filled with C4. The encryption chip burns out so you cannot get to any of the data. Once that chip burns out it would be almost impossible to get data off of the drive since it is designed so that you cannot get to the actual chips themselves, and you would have to somehow replace the actual encryption chip on the drives circuit board.
After this happens the drive is destroyed.
So why don't you go do something useful with your life instead of just going around trying to prove other people wrong to feel better about yourself, when you are in fact wrong.
i'm pretty sure they have been selling these at thinkgeek for like a month...
Windows only for now :-(
I'd like something with a nice enclosure like that, I don't need or want the fancy encryption. There are separate programs for that, though they probably don't erase the data.
@linkdead
IronKeys are widely used in military environments.
This version of IronKey was specifically designed for use on DoD and DHS networks, as well as enterprise networks with tight restrictions on the type of browsers and network traffic permitted.