IronKey S200 Secure 1GB
The basics
Want the give your precious files the best security money can buy? Then the IronKey is the USB stick for you. It looks innocent enough, but don't be fooled: the S200's brushed metal casing is built to take the knocks.
And it's not just tough – it's clever too, with more digital goodies on board to protect your files than you can shake a cyber-stick at.
The good
The IronKey is the self-proclaimed “world's most secure flash drive”, and it's hard to argue. Its metal body is satisfyingly heavy, and it feels well built and secure. It's the only flash drive around that meets FIPS 140-2 Level 3 requirements – a US federal measure of data security.
It comes with its own anti-malware protection on board, and remote management tools mean you can control thousands of drives from a single console.
The bad
For digital protection for your files, the IronKey is the best there is. But if you're looking for pure torture-defying ruggedness, there are other USB sticks out there better suited to the job. And while the unassuming design means your IronKey won't attract too much unwanted attention, it also leaves it looking a bit plain.
The bottom line
The S200 may be the entry-level contender in the IronKey range, but even so it's packed to the gills with all sorts of clever tech to protect your files. But this protection doesn't come cheap: even this base 1GB model comes with an £80 price tag, making the IronKey a bit overkill for most normal users.
That said, if you are willing to cough up the asking price, you'll be getting plenty of protection for your money.
User comments (2)
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Jason24 May 2010
Please explain why the S200 is the entry level contender? Surely, the D200 ironkey is a lower spec in terms of read / write speed and would qualify as the entry level contender? I've just bought a 4Gb S200 and nowhere was it described nor marketed as the entry level contender.
Report as inappropriateAnonymous19 November 2010
I've owned an Ironkey for about 2 years and it still look like new - any other usb stick would have fallen to pieces by now. So I disagree with the review saying its not very rugged - it's in a sealed steel case with an apoxy resin inner and is fully waterproof to military standards. Whilst the Ironkey is expensive you do get a lot of bang for your buck - I'v got the Personal version which has secure internet browsing, remembers all your passwords / logins and automatically fills them in for you. I wouldn't be without it and given that it is quite expensive it's a little like your mobile phone because you tend to take care of it and remember to take it with you. Plus you know that no one can get to your files because of the password protection. All in all it's a great piece of kit. I recommend the Ironkey to anyone who takes their IT security seriously and that should include anyone who shops or banks online.
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