Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 review

Integral Crypto Dual: 30-second review

The Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is designed with an ultra-tough rubberized exterior as a simple way to keep your valuable digital data safe and offline. The USB key itself is rugged by design, with a tough rubberized exterior helping to protect the delicate inner electronics from knocks and bashes. As long as the protective cap is in place, it's also IPX8 waterproof, which goes beyond the physical protective abilities of many other secure storage keys.

Beneath the hood of this USB key, things get interesting. The secure read-only DVD section of the drive contains the core system and acts as a gateway to the storage section of the drive.

When the key arrives, a short setup process is required. Like all the best secure drives we've tested, this interface looks like a throwback to the late '90s and early 2000s. Despite the outdated interface design, the setup is easy, and once done, you can be confident that any data stored on the key will be safe and secure behind that password protection.

What makes this key stand out is the dual-layer protection, meaning that the key has two passwords, one for an administrator and the other for the user. If you're an individual, the master password option may not be needed, but for organizations, this is a great feature.

As a simple, secure USB key solution, this is one of the best flash drives for individuals and businesses who want additional protection for their files. 

Integral Crypto Dual: Pricing and availability

• How much does it cost? $109
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is widely available from many electronics retailers, including Amazon. Expect to pay around £110 for the 64GB version and as little as £45 for the 8GB version. Some capacities, such as the smaller 4GB version, are difficult to find.

• Value: 4/5

Integral Crypto Dual: Benchmark

In benchmark tests, the Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 put in a great performance, reaching read speeds up to 165.58MB/s and write speeds up to 130.92MB/s, these far exceeded those stated by Integral, albeit over a short period of time. 

Integral Crypto Dual: Specs

Integral Crypto Dual: Build and Handling

The Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is ultra-compact, styled along the lines of usual USB keys, featuring the main body with the USB connector, in this case, a Type-A, and the protective cap.

While the design appears standard with its rubberized exterior, indicating it is more than just a standard USB key, a deeper examination of its construction reveals that the exterior is more than just a rubberized casing.

To ensure the greatest security for your data, the key has been triple-layer waterproofed. This not only protects the crypto drive against knocks and drops but also against attempts to physically break into the drive or damage it when submerged in water. Inside, the actual electronics are firstly sealed in epoxy resin, then enclosed in a hardened inner case, and finally encased in a rubberized silicone outer casing.

In terms of compatibility, the drive works with both Mac and PC systems and features the common USB Type-A 3.0 connector, ensuring maximum backward compatibility. Unlike some other drives, this is a one-off purchase; you buy the drive, and there's no need for additional software or any type of subscription.

• Design: 3.5/5

Integral Crypto Dual: Features

The big selling point for the Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is its dual-level protection. This essentially means there are two passwords: one for the admin and one for the user. This feature allows businesses to distribute the drive to employees who need to transport sensitive data. The user or employee can then have a unique password for them, and the business can set an administrative password, so if the user forgets their password, an administrator can easily log in and reset it, which is very useful.

Several security features enhance the safety of the data contained within. First, the password must be entered each time the drive is inserted into a computer. If the drive is left idle for 10 minutes, the computer's screen saver starts, the drive is unplugged, or there's a power failure, a password is required when the drive is reinserted.

Unlike software-protected drives, the Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 employs FIPS 140-2 Level 3 protection, a high-level information security standard approved by the U.S. Government and trusted by the legal, finance, government, and healthcare industries. This involves mandatory AES 256-bit hardware encryption, which is significantly more secure than software encryption.

This level of protection also safeguards against brute-force password attacks. If such an attack is detected, all data is automatically erased after six failed access attempts. When this occurs, all data on the drive and the encryption key are securely destroyed, and the Crypto Drive is reset.

• Features: 4/5

Integral Crypto Dual: Performance

Accessing the drive when initially inserted into the USB port is more complex than with some other keys, with the pop-up interface being less user-friendly than most. The small screen that appears uses small icons to illustrate functions, although not clearly. After a few clicks around, you realise that it's the unlocked icon next to the words "Password, Yes" that actually takes you through to the password screen. Once your password is entered, the storage section of the drive becomes accessible. What's also annoying is that once you have signed in, you need to keep the pop-up window open; closing it will shut down the drive, meaning you'll need to log in again to re-enter.

Once in, the storage space functions like any other USB storage device: drag your items onto it, and they copy across safely. This makes it ideal for presentations, passwords, and financial documents you want to avoid falling into the wrong hands. It's also very handy for sending private documents through the post, knowing that if the key gets lost, no one else will be able to break in and access your financial documents or anything else.

When it comes to speed, the USB 3.2 Gen 1 technology ensures a decent transfer rate, with the following results in our benchmark tests.

• Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the Integral Crypto Dual?

The Integral Crypto Dual FIPS 140-2 Encrypted USB 3.0 is a USB Key designed for high-level data security, essentially it's a USB digital safe. It's a great choice if you need a way to carry sensitive information that requires a password to access, in case of loss or theft. Features such as dual-password access and hardware encryption will both appeal to businesses that require that extra level of security, but equally to individuals who may want to keep private documents or passwords secure. 

However, the Integral Crypto Dual is more expensive than standard USB drives, and the dated user interface, while it doesn't affect the drive's use, is a sticking point. If your priority is top-level security with physical and electronic safeguards, then this USB drive is a great choice. For general use or less critical data storage, more cost-effective solutions are out there.

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