iStorage, a UK-based specialist in portable storage and digital encryption, has announced that Kingston University will adopt its datAshur1 USB flash drive with FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification as standard for staff using sensitive data away from traditional secure data environments. The university, which has more than 25,000 students, is drafting policies and procedures to identify the types of data routinely stored on the devices ahead of deploying datAshur drives throughout the organization.
Following a successful trial in 2012, the datAshur devices, which meet the globally recognized and rigorous FIPS 140-2 Level 3 benchmark for data security, are already used by Kingston University’s central ICT teams as password safes; to transfer sensitive data offsite to outsourced solutions; and to contain sensitive information during disciplinary investigations. datAshur from iStorage was selected after the device’s features met with guidelines developed by the University Technical Security Group.
Key security features included with datAshur include:
- Tamper-proof methods and hardware encryption
- Anti-keylogging measures through its onboard keypad
- Administrator access to data
- Operating system agnostic, including Android
- No installed software is required for use
“Our staff handles personal identifiable information on a daily basis, in addition to sensitive material, including financial information and exam papers As such, the university decided to invest in a data encryption solution for mobile workers that met with our strict list of requirements”, said Mark Nicholls, infrastructure security manager at Kingston University. “Following a successful trial of iStorage’s datAshur USB flash drive last year, Kingston University has subsequently decided to adopt the devices as standard for staff.”
“Kingston University’s decision to make datAshur USB flash drives the standard for staff using sensitive data away from its corridors underlines the university’s commitment to protect sensitive data on the move. It is a responsible policy and we look forward to others in the education sector to follow Kingston’s lead”, commented John Michael, CEO at iStorage. “datAshur’s comprehensive digital and physical defenses offer a vital level of data protection in today’s data security environment.”