Kingston DataTraveler 2000 Review

Encryption goes all the way back with the introduction of cryptography, which is the science of constructing a secured protocol to be able to convey a message or information solely intended for the party it wishes to be understood or delivered. Encryption has been used through history, and with the technological advances today, along with the increasing sensitivity of electronic data, we are at the age where data encryption could only be the last firewall between your deepest secret, or your company’s future.

Kingston is well aware of the fact that data encryption is important, especially for the travelling business man, or in general, for someone who exchanges sensitive electronic data on a daily basis. With this in mind, the company proposed the DataTraveler 2000 – A light weight, USB 3.1 device that features AES 256-bit hardware-based data encryption, along with a keypad to enable physical PIN to work with the hardware level encryption. The drive is available in 16GB and 32GB flavor, with a price range around 112 – 138 USD according to Amazon.

Specifications

Design

The Kingston DataTraveler 2000 is an impeccable looking thumb drive, with a feel to match it up. This is due to the well built aluminum casing that not only protects the drive from scratches, but also keeps it from dusts and is certified to seal the DataTraveler 2000 from taking damage from liquids together with special rubber gaskets.

The inner aluminum housing of the DataTraveler 2000 is made out of aluminum as well, but it is coated in a rubbery finish for that extra premium feel and we like it. The drive also comes with a detachable aluminum cord that could be used to secure the DataTraveler to any of your belongings or have a key accompany it.

Ease of Use

The Kingston DataTraveler 2000 features 11 buttons, and 3 status LEDs. They are necessary for the physical PIN security of the device, and actually makes up some of the most important aspects of the device’s security. Hence, they are – along with the on-board battery, are crucial to make the device work.

According to the user’s manual, which could be downloaded HERE, the device has already a default PIN in place. For starters, the DataTraveler 2000 could be used right away by simply pressing the KEY button, and by inputting the PIN “11-22-33-44” correspondingly. Afterwards, press the KEY button once again. When done, a Green LED will light up. That means the drive is ready to be used. You can now plug it in.

To create a new PIN, follow unlocking procedure, and then press the KEY button twice (that makes 3). Now within 10 seconds, you must input a 7-15 digit long PIN, press the KEY button twice afterwards, re-enter the PIN, and press the KEY button twice yet again. You are now ready to use the DataTraveler 2000 with the new PIN.

Test Setup

Storage devices, unlike motherboards, revolves around the use of various storage benchmarking tools to test their performance. It is important to note that we have a pre-made Test OS on a 256 GB Kingston HyperX Fury SSD for consistency purposes. In addition, we are always aiming to fill up the test drive to atleast 50% of its capacity, as well as to negate the FOB (Fresh Out the Box) performance by using the currently in-review storage drive for a week. This is to ensure that we are testing the drive according to its real world usage. All tests should be done with the drive attached to the native ports found on our motherboard to ensure that the system is on its optimal storage testing state.

Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Mark is a standard storage benchmarking software and is widely used through the industry. Test size is set to 1000 MB, with 3 Test Runs. Results from the Sequential and 4K Queue Depth 32 benchmarks will be taken for both Read and Write.

AS SSD is another well-regarded synthetic storage benchmarking tool in the industry, offering 4K Queue Depth 64 test, access time results, and even synthetic copy performance tests. Results below are from the Sequential and 4K Queue Depth 64 benchmarks for both Read & Write.

AS SSD’s Copy Benchmark should provide us a quick look at how the SSD behaves with certain files (ISO) and applications. Basically, AS SSD will take Two 500 MB files and then copy it to another folder on the same drive, gauging both the storage medium’s read and write speed at the same time.

Our first real world performance test is a courtesy of 24 GB uncompressed files consisting of images, PSDs, and other file formats within a single folder. To gauge a storage drive’s performance, we will copy them inside the current in-review drive using TeraCopy and will take the results from the said software’s log. Results are in seconds.

Our next benchmark is another file copy test, but this time, we are copying 12 GB of compressed files. Similar to the uncompressed file copy benchmark, we will copy the compressed files inside the current in-review drive with TeraCopy and will take the results from the said software’s log. Results are in seconds and as always, the lower time it took, the better.

Conclusion

Acting primarily with a role as a crucial data encrypted drive, the Military Grade 256-bit AES XTS touting Kingston DataTraveler 2000 meets my expectations as to what a secure drive should offer. First and foremost, it features an easy to use password protection method that could be easily setup in a manner of seconds together with the ability to stop brute force authentication with the expense of wiping out the drive if a certain number of attempt has been made. The ability to configure the drive with timeout mode, and read only mode made the matter with the DT2000 sweeter which is a plus in my book. Had Kingston added a simpler approach to access the drive’s read only feature, then this is definitely going to be perfect.

The Kingston DataTraveler 2000 isn’t exactly your average thumb drive. Hence, performance is no slouch either. But, don’t expect it to go beyond or near the HyperX Fury USB 3.0’s performance. Regardless, the DataTraveler 2000 reached and even toppled its manufacturer designated speeds, and for that Kingston deserves a cookie. Moving on, the drive features a 3 year warranty, dust & water proofing with both 16GB and 32GB models. Ranging in at 112 – 138 USD, for its purpose and intended use, the DataTraveler 2000 is one important piece of hardware to keep your carefully guarded secret safe.