SanDisk Cruzer Enterprise: first secure USB drive fully compatible with OS X

Listen up, paranoid readers. SanDisk has just introduced what it's calling "the first secure USB flash drive to fully support Apple Mac OS X computers." The new Cruzer Enterprise was designed to meet unique USB security / compliance needs by implementing a "hardware-based 256-bit AES USB encryption solution that puts mandatory access control on all files as protection against theft or loss of the drive." Of course, Windows environments are also supported, and on both platforms users can log in / shut down access to the encrypted storage area, change and manage passwords, alter contact information (among other preferences), launch online support (woo!) and view current firmware and drive information. The drive is available in 1/2/4/8GB flavors (runs around $60 to $300) and plays nice with both OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard) on the Mac side.

[pavlindrom @ Dec 4th 2008 1:22PM]

$30 for 1GB? That's kind of a lot... I don't know, my boss won't... I don't think will... I won't even try, then.

[Zinger314 @ Dec 4th 2008 1:32PM]

Screw encryption, just design the flash drive to explode when accessed improperly!

[Patriks7 @ Dec 4th 2008 1:40PM]

Or just attach it to a Sony battery..

[ethana2 @ Dec 4th 2008 2:22PM]

As long as there is such thing as a 'software bug', I do NOT want my hardware capable of self destruction.

[The WC @ Dec 4th 2008 1:41PM]

Oh, great... that means Apple will be getting that "U3 smart" BS too, doesn't it...

[gfar @ Dec 4th 2008 1:50PM]

Finally the little bitches at work can stop complaining about having to use a VM session to use a memory stick on their Apple. First to brag about how awesome their laptops are, and first to blame something OTHER than their OS when they can't use something as simple as an encrypted stick.

[bondsbw @ Dec 5th 2008 11:13AM]

OS X was established long before U3. U3 decided to use only the Windows executable format for business reasons. The only thing that Apple is responsible for here is the lack of marketshare that makes it less desirable for companies to support the OS.

Your argument is the same as with the lack of driver support on the Mac. It's not that Apple doesn't want it, but they don't control third party suppliers. Hardware companies are much more eager to work with Windows at its 89.6% marketshare than with OS X with its 8.9% marketshare.

[Ethan @ Dec 4th 2008 1:49PM]

What are you going to encrypt on a mac? Family holiday photos? Your 'demo' off garageband? Feist albums? Yeah, sure, it's compatible with the mac, but it'll have to buy some new clothes and go to the gym for hours to feel good about itself again after the slots it's been in.

[The WC @ Dec 4th 2008 1:52PM]

I'll have you know that I use iLife to make my plans for world domination.

[AlekZander @ Dec 4th 2008 2:00PM]

I love how the guy with the Pokemon avatar is complaining about Mac users not having a life.

[dale1v @ Dec 4th 2008 2:02PM]

⇑ lol ⇓

[tabaks @ Dec 4th 2008 2:59PM]

Wow, dude! You HAVE to start going out more. It'll take the edge off your shitty personality.

[chickenator @ Dec 4th 2008 3:12PM]

@ The WC,
at least it's the funnest way ever for world domination.
now back to pie chart...

[Ethan @ Dec 4th 2008 4:41PM]

Chickenator could've complained about my avatar, I mean, it's a chicken! Plain black and I've got to think either you're really indecisive or can't afford a lamp. You might be better served referring to the Xserves in military data centres than insulting my personality though.

[Jason @ Dec 4th 2008 1:50PM]

Just buy a regular drive and use TrueCrypt.

[kjk @ Dec 4th 2008 1:59PM]

+1

[ethana2 @ Dec 4th 2008 2:20PM]

Behold, the most solid advice to ever appear in the engadget comment form.

[Dubb @ Dec 4th 2008 2:47PM]

Thank you Jason, I came here to post this exact comment.

If someone's after your USB stick and they can bypass TrueCrypt, they would be able to bypass the hardware equivalent as well.

Plus you have more choice. Currently Sandisk forces you to use their U3 system which acts as a portable application launcher which is all tied in with the software used to utilize the hardware encryption.

If you want to run a U3 app, you have enter your password every single time.

In a TrueCrypt setup, I use PortableApps.com's portable application launcher. I can use all the apps without entering a password. When I need to access my sensitive data, I just mount the TrueCrypt partition.

More flexible than the U3 system.

[Jason @ Dec 4th 2008 3:30PM]

Also, you have more selection on encryption and hashing protocols. In the end, hardware or software, you will end up with the same cipher.

[brandon @ Dec 4th 2008 1:59PM]

I personally create a 256-bit AES encrypted sparse disk image limited to the max size of the flash drive for my secure files. It beats the hefty price tag (relative to the size of the chip) of this device.
http://www.woopid.com/

[Rory W @ Dec 4th 2008 2:45PM]

NOT the first.. there have been plenty of others with the same Mac compatibility and a stronger encryption.

And I agree for the typical 'consumer user' there is little point.. but for the 'Enterprise' user this is a necessity with all of the regulations out there such as SOX, GLB, OMB M-06-16..

[tabaks @ Dec 4th 2008 2:57PM]

Huh? Care to list one or two?

[Rory W @ Dec 4th 2008 3:00PM]

@tabaks
MXI Security - www.mxisecurity.com - 256bit AES
Ironkey - www.ironkey.com - 128bit AES

Both use CBC based encryption instead of the weaker ECB
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cipher_block_chaining - look at the Linux penguin picture.

[staypuft13 @ Dec 4th 2008 2:56PM]

wow, make it OSX compatible and jack the price up tenfold!

[Mike W @ Dec 4th 2008 3:32PM]

A cap? LAME...

[Junkie @ Dec 4th 2008 5:18PM]

Nobody heard of TrueCrypt?

http://www.truecrypt.org

And where is the Biometrics?