Kingston has announced that its IronKey D500S hardware-encrypted USB flash drive has received NIST FIPS 140-3 Level 3 validation. This validation signifies that the drive meets a stringent security standard for cryptographic modules.
The D500S is designed and assembled by Kingston in California.
The IronKey D500S was developed with the goal of providing secure data storage. It incorporates XTS-AES 256-bit encryption and aims to meet the NIST FIPS 140-3 Level 3 security standard. Beyond standard TAA-compliance, which confirms the declared country of origin, the D500S was designed to ensure that its critical components and assembly processes align with both TAA and CMMC compliance requirements.
Key components of the drive include:
- A secure microprocessor that manages encryption and authentication.
- Digitally-signed firmware for the secure microprocessor.
- Drive software, which facilitates multi-password authentication and feature settings.
- NAND Flash storage chips.
- Assembly of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) with all critical components.
- Encasing the PCB assembly and injecting epoxy into the rugged casing, which is part of its FIPS 140-3 Level 3 anti-tampering protection.
Kingston directly sourced all critical components from TAA-compliant suppliers. These components are stocked at Kingston’s manufacturing center in California, USA, where the drive assembly is conducted under supervised processes. The D500S also features matching internal and external serial numbers for asset tracking.
“Our aim with the IronKey D500S was to create a FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certified drive for securing data-at-rest that meets government and military standards,” stated a Kingston representative. “With a supply chain supporting CMMC and TAA compliance, and design and assembly at Kingston’s USA headquarters, the D500S is positioned as a secure USB drive for customers requiring high levels of data protection.”
Additional Features
The D500S includes a dual-partition option, allowing an administrator to create two custom-sized secure partitions for administrative and user access. This can include a Hidden File Store for provisioning files to the user partition. This feature is intended to keep data secure and hidden unless accessed with proper authentication.
Other features include the ability for an administrator to set a Global Read-Only mode and to use a Crypto-Erase password, which will destroy data and reset the drive. The D500S is housed in a rugged zinc casing designed to meet military-grade shock, vibration, and drop test specifications, and holds an IP67 dust and water resistance rating.
The D500S offers customizable features and functionality and is available in capacities up to 512 GB. It comes with a 5-year warranty and technical support. More information is available at kingston.com/ironkey.
