On this review, we are taking another look at a SecureData product. This time, it is the SecureDrive BT. An external drive with everything we liked from the SecureUSB BT but with an SSD inside. That said, the SecureDrive BT is yet again a drive with tons of security features both inside and out.
The SecureData SecureDrive BT we got is the 250GB SSD variant, featuring a price point of $289 USD. While the external drive is also available at larger capacities at up to 8TB, it shares the same amount of features across the different models. That includes FIPS 140-2 Level-3 compliance. Basically, this external drive is physically tamper proof on top of the first two security levels introduced by the standard.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:
The packaging is a contrast over the blister pack of the SecureUSB BT. You’d get a literal showcase packaging with all the visible information laid out in a simple manner.
Bundle is basic, but we get a short yet high quality USB 3.0 cable on top of the quick start guide. Can’t miss these things, really.
DESIGN, LAYOUT AND CONNECTIVITY:
The SecureDrive BT features a sleek 5×3 incher foot print, featuring an aluminum body resembling the practicality of SecureData’s latest models. Do not attempt to open this thing. Doing so will effectively destroy the drive.
The device had this hefty feel to it. Which is most likely due to the epoxy filled internals required to comply for the FIPS 140-2 Level 3. There are also status LEDs to let you know if the device is locked, unlocked or if it is transferring data. This is not an IP57 compliant design though.
There are loads of information at the back side of the device – important stuff to keeping the drive secured. The device ID for example is printed near the Micro Type-B port, which is important for Bluetooth pairing. The QR code on the other hand will point you to the DataLock App installer. An integral part of this device’s interlocking features.
The SecureUSB BT features a USB 3.1 Gen1 interface. Speed is not rated, but since this is an SSD based storage device, we should be looking at good numbers here both read and write.
TEST SETUP AND METHODOLOGY:
Our storage device reviews revolves around the use of various storage benchmark tools and real world benchmarks. Our setup fills up the test drive to at least 50% of its capacity. This is done so to negate the FOB (Fresh Out the Box) performance of the drive; ensuring that we are testing the drive near its expected usage. The drive is formatted under NTFS and is attached to its natively supported interface. This is to ensure the system is at its optimal testing state.
| TEST SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS | |
| PROCESSOR | Intel Core i5 6600K |
| MOTHERBOARD | ASUS Z170-A |
| COOLER | Cryorig C1 Top Flow |
| MEMORY | Crucial Ballistix Tactical DDR4 @ 2666MHz 2x4GB |
| GRAPHICS | ASUS ROG STRIX GTX 1060 OC 6GB |
| STORAGE | Crucial BX200 480GB |
| POWER | Corsair RM850X 850W |
| DISPLAY | ASUS MG278Q |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 Pro |
THROUGHPUT PERFORMANCE:
Throughput performance measured in MB/s is measured with CrystalDiskMark. First up on the test is the Sequential read and write performance, measured with a block size of 1MB and a 1GB transfer size. This test is more in line with large file transfers; similar to watching a movie.
The second one is the Random 4K read and write performance, measured with a random block size of 4KB and a 1GB transfer size. This test is more in line with small file transfers; similar to transferring installation files and reading game data.
Sequential transfers rate is excellent for both read and write – definitely within an SSD’s standards. Random 4K performance on the other hand is more than enough for this drive’s intended usage.
IOPS PERFORMANCE:
Input/Output Operations per Second is is measured with AS SSD. The Random 4K-64Thrd read and write benchmark is used for this test. Performance is measured with a random block size of 4KB, a 1GB transfer size and 64-thread IO requests. This tests the storage medium’s ability to use Native Command Queuing (NCQ) at higher Queue Depth. A Useful metric for server side applications.
IOPS performance is definitely within the capabilities of any modern SATAIII SSD. Nothing extraordinary here though.
ACCESS TIME PERFORMANCE:
The read and write latency is measured with AS SSD using a 512KB block size. Access Time is just as important as the throughput and IOPS performance of the drive; allowing us to peak into how fast or slow a storage medium can access a given data. Latency is measured in milliseconds.
Read latency is recorded at 0.144ms, while the write latency is at 0.125ms. Excellent access times for both read and write.
FILE COPY PERFORMANCE:
Our real world performance test consists of 3 file folders containing 6GB worth of text files, images and videos each. The files are copied within the drive using TeraCopy to evaluate the storage medium’s performance. File copy performance is measured in seconds.
The SecureUSB BT featured a stellar file copy performance, considering that encryption is always enabled.
SOFTWARE, LIGHTING AND SPECIAL FEATURES:
The SecureData SecureDrive BT shares the same feature set with the SecureUSB BT. That said, the setup and applications are technically the same. There are 2 ways to use the drive, all requiring you to download SecureData’s applications via your smart phone. First off, you could use it with the DataLock application itself. It is the most basic one, requiring you to simply pair the SecureUSB BT via Bluetooth. With this, you could use most of the SecureUSB’s features including Touch ID, FaceID, Step-away AutoLock, Read Only mode, Remotely Reset or even fully wipe the drive. It is important to note that every time you want to use the drive, connecting it via Bluetooth and entering a password is a must. The TouchID and FaceID features only works with Apple devices.
Next up would be the DataLock Admin and the DataLock Managed. Both works hand in hand with the $25 USD value DataLock Remote Management console. This is a must if you really want to maximize the drive’s potential.
Technically, Remote Management is the same with the DataLock but with value added features such as geo-fencing, time-fencing, usage logging and many more. Both DataLock Admin and the DataLock Managed are required for admin and user access features. The drive is also required to be re-initiated or formatted for this setup.
Geo-fencing requires the system to have its location features turned on; otherwise, the default coordinates are used. Time-fencing is also a powerful feature built within the web console that allows you to set a time frame a user could use the drive.
As said earlier, the Remote Management console also allows for a detailed usage logging feature. This of course includes the user who accessed the drive, the date and even the location where it has been activated.
Now the SecureDrive BT comes with two extra softwares. That’s the USBCloud and DriveSecurity. USBCloud allows the user to backup anything they put onto the drive, while the DriveSecuirity is a self contained antivirus powered by ESET’s Nod32. Both products included within the drive are trial versions and could be activated for a small sum.
While you could pay a sum to use the Remote Management’s fencing features, users could still access the remote unlock and remote wipe feature without any extra charges. To learn more about the SecureDrive’s features, check out the official product link here.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The SecureData SecureDrive BT with 250GB of capacity is an SSD powered external drive with a $289 MSRP. A fast storage device made with security in mind with a performance to back it up.
Performance wise, we are looking at an external SSD with an excellent access time and great file copy performance on top of a good sequential performance. That’s also considering the hardware based encryption that will always affect the overall performance of the drive.
Essentially, the SecureDrive BT is everything the SecureUSB BT but larger, faster and more appealing – price wise, GB per dollar spent. To be fair though, the SecureUSB BT is IP57 complaint, whereas the SecureDrive BT is not. It is still a well made drive though.
The SecureData SecureDrive BT is an excellent external SSD with top of the line level of protection with a starting price of $289 for the SSD models. Not a bad price to keep your priceless possessions away from harm.
|
|
SecureData SecureDrive BT External SSD Review
-
PERFORMANCE - 9/10
9/10
-
BUILD QUALITY - 8/10
8/10
-
FEATURES - 9/10
9/10
-
AESTHETICS - 8/10
8/10
-
VALUE - 8/10
8/10
Summary
The SecureData SecureDrive BT is an excellent external SSD with top of the line level of protection with a starting price of $289 for the SSD models. Not a bad price to keep your priceless possessions away from harm.
