Final Thoughts
I really like the idea of being able to protect your data. Typically we get this through some type of software encryption, which can be somewhat secure, but is definitely not the most secure solution. That is where iStorage comes in with their diskashur DT2 it offers AES-XTS 256-bit full disk hardware encryption, is FIPS PUB 197 validated and is the world’s first and only NCSC CPA, FIPS 140-2 Level 2/3, NLNCSA BSPA and NATO restricted level certified encrypted Desktop Hard Drive.
Not only that, but it has some great features to stop people from stealing your data, if they happen to get access to the drive physically. First the drive itself would be quite hard to open up, but even if you happened to all the components of the diskAshur DT2 are completely covered by a layer of super tough epoxy resin, which is virtually impossible to remove without causing permanent damage to the components. The keypad actually has a wear resistant epoxy coating which hides key usage to avoid tipping off a potential hacker to commonly used keys. Finally you have brute force protection, a self-destruct mode, and even a unattended auto-lock clock. These will definitely protect your data against unauthorized users trying to access it.
As far as speeds go this is definitely a fast drive for a normal hard drive, in our testing we average around 185 MB/s. While this is good, it was much lower than the advertised speeds of 225 MB/s. We are not sure why we were not able to achieve those speeds, especially when we had the drive connected to USB 3.1 gen 2 ports.
iStorage offers the diskashur DT2 in capacities ranging from 1TB all the way up to 14TB. The 8TB version that we reviewed today is selling for $623, which is not cheap by any means, but you are not going to find a drive that offers this much security for your data. Overall ThinkComputers gives the iStorage diskashur DT2 8TB External Hard Drive a 9 out of 10 score.
Pros:
– AES-XTS 256-bit full disk hardware encryption
– World’s first and only NCSC CPA, FIPS 140-2 Level 2/3, NLNCSA BSPA and NATO restricted level certified encrypted desktop hard drive
– Solid design
– Pretty fast for a normal hard drive
– Many other security features built in
– Available in capacities ranging from 1TB all the way up to 14TB
Cons:
– Did not perform up to rated speeds
