In an ever-evolving digital landscape that we live in today the significance of data security cannot be emphasized enough. It’s no secrect our personal and professional lives are intricately embedded with a vast array of data. From confidential documents and financial records to cherished memories and private communications, our data holds immense value.

It goes without saying that safeguarding our data from unauthorized access, theft, and exploitation is incredibly vital. Data security potentially protects us from disastrous repercussions of identity theft, financial fraud, and irreparable harm to our reputation. Step into a realm where security and innovation unite, introducing the iStorage datAshur PRO+C USB drive. This compact device is a fortress of encryption, protecting your data from hackers. With military-grade XTS-AES 256-bit encryption, a PIN-protected keypad, and a self-destruct feature, it actually sounds like a device from a James Bond movie. Compatible with USB 3.2 (Gen 1) Type C, the iStorage datAshur PRO+C adapts seamlessly to your needs.

The datAshur PRO+C is offered in 32GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512 GB capacities catering to diverse user requirements and budgets. The device comes with a IP68 (Certification pending) rating giving it excellent resistance to both dust and water.

Technical specifications

Hardware: USB 3.2 (Gen 1) SuperSpeed USB

Interface: USB Type C with Type-A adapter included

Data transfer rates: Read: 310MB/s | Write: 246MB/s

Battery: 3.7V Lithium-polymer rechargable battery

Capacities: 32 GB128 GB256 GB512 GB

Speed: 310MB/s Read 246MB/s Write

Dimensions: With sleeveHeight: 80.10mmWidth: 20.25mmDepth: 10.70mm
Without sleeveHeight: 78mmWidth: 18mmDepth: 8mm

Weight: 25 grams

Waterproof: IP68 (pending)

Operating system compatibility: MS Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Android, Thin Clients, Zero Clients, Embedded Systems, Citrix and VMware

Hardware data encryption: AES-XTS 256-bit full disk hardware encryption

Certification: World’s first and only USB flash drive pending the new FIPS 140-3 Level 3 scheme.

Encryption keys: 256-bit Hardware

Hashing: 256-bit SHA

Ordering information: 512GB available W/C 10th July. iStorage Part Number: IS-FL-DA3C-256-XX XX-capacity*

Warranty: 3 Year Warranty with free lifetime technical support

Design and closer look

The iStorage datAshur PRO+C is shipped out in an elegant box that showcases its impressive array of features. The box even boasts a security seal, to ensure the device is not tampered with during shipment.

Opening the box, you’re greeted with a neatly organized arrangement. The datAshur PRO+C USB drive sits snugly within its protective sleeve, exuding a sense of durability and sophistication. Alongside the device, you’ll find a USB Type C to Type A adapter, allowing for seamless connectivity with various devices and certainly a nice thought by the manufacturer.

To assist you in getting started swiftly, the package also includes a quick startup guide. The guide provides clear instructions on how to set up and utilize the device effectively and ensures a hassle-free setup process, enabling you to maximize the device’s functionality right from the start. We did find that the guide excluded some information such as setting up administrator and user accounts on the same device. These extra details are available in the user manual which can be downloaded off the iStorage website or from the drive once you have setup a user pin.

One standout feature of the datAshur PRO+C is its wear-resistant keypad. Designed for ease of use and enhanced security, the keypad allows you to effortlessly input your PIN to unlock the device and access your data. While individuals with larger hands might encounter a slight challenge with key presses, it’s important to acknowledge that the device’s design strives to accommodate a wide range of users. It’s an admirable effort, considering the inherent difficulties in catering to every unique human characteristic in a product’s design.

The datAshur PRO+C USB drive embraces advanced security technology as its core foundation. It employs a robust hardware encryption chip and military-grade XTS-AES 256-bit encryption, ensuring that even the most determined hackers face an uphill battle in gaining unauthorized access. In addition, the datAshur PRO+C proudly holds a remarkable distinction – it is currently the only flash drive in the world awaiting validation for FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certification.

Every single component housed within the datAshur PRO+C is meticulously protected by a layer of ultra-durable epoxy resin. This specialized coating ensures that any form of tampering with the device or attempts to remove it would result in irreversible damage to the components; thus safeguarding your data from being compromised.

Protection from external elements

In addition to its already impressive list of features, the datAshur PRO+C further offers protection from external elements.

Shockproof & Crushproof – Designed to endure even the most harshest weather conditions, the drive can survive a freefall of up to 4 meters onto a concrete surface without sustaining any damage. Furthermore, its crushproof construction allows it to withstand the weight of a staggering 2.7-ton vehicle, which is seriously impressive.
Water Resistant (IP 68 Rated) – The datAshur PRO+C can withstand immersion in water at depths of up to 1.5 meters for a duration of 30 minutes, protecting the device from any unfortunate accidents. Additionally, its robust construction ensures that it remains impervious to dust, dirt, and sand, making it an ideally suited even in challenging environments

Usage and Performance

Setting up and using the datAshur PRO+C is incredibly simple and straightforward. While the device itself comes with a USB C interface, the provided USB Type C to Type-A adapter allows for a wide range of device compatibility including laptops, desktops, and smartphones. The compact and sleek design of the datAshur PRO+C allows for it to be conveniently carried around just like a conventional USB drive.

Brute force hack defence mechanism : The datAshur PRO+C has a built in self-destruct mechanism. In the event of unauthorized access attempts, the device is configured to automatically erase all contents on the drive after a predetermined number of incorrect PIN entries. This unique feature ensures that even if the device was to fall into the wrong hands, your data will not be compromised.

Independent User & Admin PINs : The datAshur PRO+C like its predecessors can be configured with both a user PIN and a administrator PIN. This makes it an ideal choice for government and corporate environments where the administrator has the ability to unlock the drive using the Admin PIN, in the event the user PIN is forgotten.

Configuring a user PIN for the first time is documented in the quick start guide. A user manual is already stored inside the drive and is accessible once you have setup the user pin and connected the drive to a computer.

Creating an admin pin is equally straightforward and needs to be done after creating the user pin.

Performance

While the focus of the datAshur PRO+C is undoubtedly on data security, it doesn’t compromise on performance. With its USB 3.2 standard the drive boasts data transfer rates of 310MB/s Read and 246MB/s Writes.

We performed a few synthetic benchmarks to test out the speeds claimed by iStorage using ATTO disk benchmark and Crystal DiskMark.

ATTO Disk Benchmark – 128MB File size

While the speeds aren’t exactly as advertised they aren’t too far off.

ATTO Disk Benchmark – 256MB File size

ATTO Disk Benchmark – 1GB File size

Crystal Disk Benchmark

The performance of the datAshur PRO+C is truly remarkable, as the results demonstrate. What makes these figures even more impressive is that they are based on real-time encryption as well.

Conclusion

There’s a lot to like about this newly released datAshur PRO+C from iStorage. Not only is it one of the world’s first flash drives to achieve FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certification, its advanced encryption, PIN-protected alpha numeric keypad, self-destruct mechanism, and durable design make it an exceptional choice for professionals, corporates and Government bodies alike who take data security seriously.

While minor challenges may arise for users with larger hands, it’s evident that the device’s design is driven by a genuine commitment to providing an exceptional level of data security while ensuring user-friendly functionality. iStorage further offers a “DriveSecurity” service when purchasing the drive where it will install ESET NOD32® a powerful antivirus software further protecting the drive from malware infections. We have been ardent fans of iStorage and their products in the past and this latest release sure hasn’t dissapointed. Pricing for the devices starts from £99 for the 32GB version.