iStorage diskAshur PRO3 2TB SSD Drive Review

In today’s digital world, protecting data is more crucial than ever. Whether you’re a business professional dealing with sensitive information, a government employee handling classified files, or simply someone who values privacy, data security is non-negotiable. The sheer volume of data breaches that occur in modern times is truly mind boggling.

Enter the iStorage diskAshur PRO³, a portable hard drive that promises military-grade encryption and ease of use. The diskAshur PRO³ is one of the successors to the iStorage diskAshur2 which we reviewed a few years back. Lets see how well the diskAshur PRO³ spans out.

Closer Look at the diskAshur PRO³

The iStorage diskAshur PRO³ is the latest iteration from iStorage, a company known for developing hardware-encrypted storage solutions for well over a decade now. With capacities ranging from 512GB to 16TB, it caters to a wide range of users. What sets this device apart is its combination of Military-grade FIPS PUB 197 validated AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption and a physical keypad that allows users to input their PIN before accessing the data. iStorage boldly claims, “without the PIN, there’s no way in” a claim which hasn’t been disproven to date.

The diskAshur PRO³ comes in a well designed box with a tamper proof sticker to ensure the drive isn’t compromised in any means during transit.

Opening up the box, you’re presented with a well protected diskAshur PRO³ enclosed in a bubble wrap packaging.

The diskAshur PRO³ package consist of the diskAshur PRO³, a user manual, a quick troubleshooting guide, a complementary nero BackItUp (Free lifetime license) and iStorage DriveSecurity (Free 1 year license) software which can be downloaded separately.

The diskAshur PRO³ further comes with a standard USB 3.2 Type-A to USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-C cable and a handy carry case. The carry case is well built to protect the drive from falls during travels.

The device incorporates a robust physical keypad, enabling users to configure alphanumeric PINs ranging from 8 to 64 characters in length. The keypad’s construction exudes quality, providing satisfying tactile feedback with each press. Moreover, the thoughtfully designed key spacing minimizes input errors, enhancing overall user experience and security.

Key Features and Performance

Beyond its security features, the diskAshur PRO³ boasts a rugged, tamper-proof design, ensuring both physical and digital protection of your data.

Hardware Encryption:

The diskAshur PRO³‘s standout feature is its FIPS 140-3 Level 3 validated AES 256-bit hardware encryption engine. This means the encryption occurs directly on the device itself, preventing data exposure even if someone manages to bypass your computer’s operating system. It’s a significant advantage over software encryption, which can sometimes be vulnerable to hacking.

In contrast to competing products, the diskAshur PRO³ employs an innovative defense mechanism against automated intrusion attempts. When such an attack is detected, the device enters a deadlock frozen state, effectively neutralizing any unauthorized access efforts. This unique feature sets the diskAshur3 apart in terms of data protection and security resilience.

PIN Protection

The physical PIN pad on the device requires users to enter a 8-64 digit PIN to unlock the drive. Without the correct PIN, the data remains completely inaccessible. This layer of security makes it nearly impossible for unauthorized users to access your files, even if they have the drive in their possession. You have the option to setup an alpha numeric PIN giving that additional level of protection.

Tamper-Proof Design

The device is housed in a tamper-proof epoxy shell, designed to protect the internal components from physical attacks. iStorage has gone the extra mile to ensure that any attempt to physically tamper with the drive results in complete destruction of the internal components, making the data irrecoverable.

Brute Force Protection

The diskAshur PRO³ has built-in brute force protection. If someone tries to access the drive by repeatedly guessing the PIN, the device will lock after several failed attempts. After a preset number of incorrect entries, it will automatically reset itself, wiping all the data in the process.

FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Certification

For those in government or industries where certified data protection is critical, the diskAshur PRO³ comes with FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certification. This certification ensures that the device has met rigorous government standards for data protection

Data Self Destruction Feature

The diskAshur PRO³ offers an emergency “self-destruct” PIN feature. If you’re in a situation where you need to ensure the data is wiped instantly, entering this PIN will immediately and irreversibly erase the drive’s contents, giving you peace of mind in extreme situations.

Multiple PIN Options

The diskAshur PRO3 features a clever PIN system that lets you set up three different access codes: User, Admin, and One-Time Recovery. This layered approach not only makes it easier to manage access but also keeps your data secure and ideal for corporate environments where the master PIN (admin) is kept with the IT department as a backup mechanism.

Backlit Keypad & Wear resistant epoxy-coated keypad

A new feature we haven’t seen in previous generation models or in competitor devices is the backlit keypad feature. This isn’t enabled by default however easily enabled from the Admin menu. Further more the keypad has a special epoxy coating that hides key usage prints from the keypad.

Performance

From a performance standpoint, the diskAshur PRO³ doesn’t disappoint. The device connects via USB 3.2, ensuring fast data transfer speeds and iStorage claims that the drive is capable of read/write speeds of 450MB/s. We put this to the test through a few benchmark tests to validate these claims.

ATTO Disk Benchmark (512MB)

ATTO Disk Benchmark (256MB)

Crystal DiskMark (real world performance test)

While you certainly won’t be buying the diskAshur PRO³ for speed, it still performs admirably, particularly when you consider the encryption processes happening in real-time behind the scenes. As the tests show, the performance of the drive is almost comparable to advertised speeds.

Conclusion

If data security is your top priority, the diskAshur PRO³ is undoubtedly one of the best solutions on the market. Its combination of military-grade encryption, tamper-proof design, and PIN protection sets it apart from standard external drives.

At the time of writing, the 2TB diskAshur PRO³ retails for around US$860 (£660). While the price tag might seem steep, for the right use case, the diskAshur PRO³ offers peace of mind, especially for professionals handling sensitive information, making it a worthy investment. Question you should ask is “how much do I have to loose if my data fell to the wrong hands”.

The diskAshur PRO³ isn’t just a storage device; it’s a impenetrable vault for your most sensitive files. Whether you’re in government, healthcare, finance, or simply someone who values data privacy, the iStorage diskAshur PRO³ is a compelling choice that delivers on its promise.

Pros:

• Top-notch security features (AES 256-bit hardware encryption, PIN protection, tamper-proof design)
• FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certification for compliance with government security standards
• Self-destruct feature for emergency data destruction
• Brute force protection to safeguard against hacking attempts
• User-friendly PIN pad and straightforward setup process
• Wide range of storage capacities (500GB to 16TB)

Cons:

• Slightly slower transfer speeds compared to non-encrypted drives
• The price might be higher compared to traditional external drives, though justifiable given the security features