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Encrypted data storage products specialist Data Locker announced the availability of SkyCrypt, a Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 validated, military grade 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption platform designed to secure data stored on cloud storage providers and local files. The platform is currently available for download as a free public beta.
With SkyCrypt, files are fully encrypted at the desktop level before being uploaded and stored on cloud storage accounts. The platform is architected to help solve the problems of data loss or a hack of a free online storage service by adding a layer of military-strength encryption to cloud storage providers that is locally secured and managed by the user.
“We save everything from valuable intellectual property to family photos to corporate documents on public cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive and Box.com,” Jay Kim, founder and CEO of Data Locker, said in a statement. “The problem is that with most popular services, someone else actually owns and controls your data in the cloud. Servers get hacked, secrets get leaked and people are careless. SkyCrypt is the best way to ensure your cloud-based data is secured and encrypted.”
User link SkyCrypt to a preferred cloud storage service to create an encrypted virtual drive on their system. Once files are saved into the virtual, secured drive, files and file names are instantly encrypted and synced to the cloud storage provider. Because of the high level of encryption, even if a cloud service provider is hacked at root level or personal logins are compromised, the files are encrypted, secure and unreadable.
Data is encrypted locally by the user, and encryption keys are kept by the user instead of the service provider to limit unwarranted access. The platform is compatible with DropBox, Google Drive, SkyDrive, Box, Amazon Cloud, or a variety of other cloud service providers. SkyCrypt also offers 2-factor authentication through Google Authenticator’s free one-time password (OTP) utility for Android, iOS and BlackBerry mobile devices.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued the FIPS 140 Publication Series to coordinate the requirements and standards for cryptography modules that include both hardware and software components.
Data Locker also offers an encrypted portable hard drive for users who would prefer to keep their data out of the cloud. The DataLocker Enterprise was designed for mobile users who require high-capacity, 256-bit encrypted portable storage with FIPS 140-2 validation. Data is secured by 6-18 digit PIN number which is entered directly on the device itself.
A touch-screen display allows the user to enter their password directly on the device and ensures that encryption and management of the DataLocker is performed at the device level, independent of the host computer, eliminating the need for any software or drivers. The drive is capable of storing up to 2TB of data. The company’s Website lists the price for the 500GB version at $399 and the 1TB version at $499.