The Pro version of Windows 10 and Windows 11 includes the application Bitlocker, an application designed to encrypt the contents of any storage unit, internal and external, from USB sticks to hard drives. While it is true that it is a perfect tool for most home users, it is not as secure in professional environments where information is money.
Bitlocker encryption works in conjunction with the TPM chip, a chip that can be present on the motherboard or integrated into the processor. When it is on the motherboard, as we announced to you a few weeks ago, it is possible to access this key and break securitya problem not found in more modern processors that include the TPM chip.
In the market we can find External hard drives that offer encryption materiallike those offered by the manufacturer Apricorn, a manufacturer which has just presented a 24 TB model of hardware encrypted storage.
24TB of encrypted storage without software
Apricorn is an external storage drive manufacturer that offers drives with 256bi AES XTS encryptions for hardware, a manufacturer who has just expanded this range of products with the Aegis DT FIPS 140-2 padlocka new 24 TB unit in addition to that available from the same manufacturer and which starts at 2 TB.
All external drives from this manufacturer include AegisWare firmware, a proprietary firmware responsible for encrypting the content stored inside using a integrated keyboard on the device, without depending at any time on third-party software. Includes a panel with 3 LEDs that indicate the status of the unit.
The entire encryption and decryption process is done locally, on the device itself, so this information is not shared with the computer, eliminating the possibility of any third-party applications capable of monitoring key presses , knowing the password used.
The encryption used is AES XTS 256-bit, military grade encryption, the firmware It is inaccessible and, what’s more, it is locked, so it cannot be modified or updated. In this way, the risk that malicious software can access it and modify it to eliminate the established protection is avoided. The Aegis DT FIPS 24TB padlock is priced at 1,288 dollars and it is available through its website which we can access from here.
Hardware-encrypted external hard drives
According to the company boss, public and private companies urgently need to protect themselves against increasingly common cyberattacks, including ransomware attacks that encrypt data in exchange for a password.
With the launch of this 24TB hardware encrypted storage drive, it is the only manufacturer currently offering the largest storage space of its kind.
The catalog of hard drives that Apricorn offers to all its customers is part of the 2 TB up to the 24 TB that we mentioned. They all offer the same type of encryption and include a keyboard where you can enter the password to access the data and offer support for USB 3.0, so transfer speed won’t be an issue.
