IronKey USB Drives Keep Data Safe and Sound

Setting up the SaaS based management features iseasily accomplished via a 10 step configuration wizard. From thisscreen, functionality, such as IronKey Identity Manager, can beenabled or disabled with a check box.

After the setup wizard guided me throughcreating an Enterprise management account and establishing a securitypolicy, I was provided with an informative summary screen to verifysettings before deploying them.

After the administrator has pushed an initialsecurity policy to the device, individual users can be given access toa self-service portal that will help them track and recover deviceswithout tech support.

A user can access the self service portal toreport the device stolen or perform a password reset, freeing supportstaff from dealing with this common task.

After configuring each IronKey andpushing it out to end users I could easily check the status of anindividual device or account through the Account Dashboard. This isuseful for both asset management and technical support.

Individual management accounts have a secretimage and phrase so that you know you aren’t being phished plus threesecret questions or answers so the site knows you are you. Yourusername/password and your device are needed for successful login(don’t lose your management device or you won’t be able to manage yourwhole organization!).

Administrators have the option of deployinga secure version of Firefox that can run within “secure sessions”using the Tor proxy service to obscure the user’s physical location.Here secure sessions is on as indicated by a Firefox status bar icon.

Here you can see that secure sessions hasbeen turned off.

The first click on IronKey Identity Managerdisplays a short explanation of the utility and guides the userthrough creating accounts.

IronKey Identity Manager stores andprotects usernames and passwords in an encrypted database. Here wesee how easy it is to add a new site.

When the user runs Ironkey Identity Manager,usernames and passwords can be stored securely on the device itself.When initially entering a password, a virtual keyboard pops up toprevent keyloggers from snatching passwords.

Devices can be locked down to a specificnetwork and/or forced to use a network proxy with or withoutauthentication. This can be done through the SaaS management tool orthe local control panel.

Once the device is mounted, the IronKey controlpanel icon appears in the system tray (the circle on the far left ofthis image).

Once unlocked and mounted, the IronKey controlpanel provides easy navigation to documentation andfeatures/utilities.

The personal version of the device (not reviewed)comes with better documentation including a Flash based demo offeatures and settings.

Devices can be pre-configured to check for, download,and apply updates with or without user approval.

This series shows destroying the S200 by baking itin the toaster oven at 325 degrees F. Always be prepared. Slide twoshows tongs, a thermometer, and a fire extinguisher nearby. The S200did not function after this.

Believe it or not, the run-of-the-mill USBflash memory key worked after the body melted off of it.

These IronKey S200s were subjected to everythingfrom being thrown off the roof, pounded between 2 20 lb weights,soaking in sea water, and baking at 325 degrees. These four did notsurvive.

This IronKey S200 1GB USB flash memory proved to berugged and fast. This one survived everything I threw at it (or threwit at).

This IronKey D200 4GB USB flash memory survivedpounding, slicing, smashing, and being slammed in a metal frame door.