Kingston University adopts robust portable data security standard

iStorage, a leading specialist in portable storage and digital encryption, has announced that Kingston University is to adopt its datAshur1 USB flash drive with FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification as standard for staff using sensitive data away from traditional secure data environments. The University, which has more than 23,000 students, is drafting policies and procedures to identify the types of data routinely stored on the devices ahead of deploying datAshur drives throughout the organisation.

Following a successful trial in 2012, the datAshur devices, which meet the globally recognised and rigorous FIPS 140-2 Level 3 benchmark2 for data security, are already used by Kingston University’s central ICT teams as password safes; to transfer sensitive data offsite to outsourced solutions and to contain sensitive information during disciplinary investigations. datAshur from iStorage was selected after the device’s features met with guidelines developed by the University’s Technical Security Group.

datAshur’s key security features included:
• Tamper-proof methods and hardware encryption
• Anti-keylogging measures through its onboard keypad
• Administrator access to data
• Operating system agnostic, including Android
• No installed software is required for use

“Our staff handle personal identifiable information on a daily basis, in addition to sensitive material including financial information and exam papers. As such, the University decided to invest in a data encryption solution for mobile workers that met with our strict list of requirements,” said Mark Nicholls, Infrastructure Security Manager at Kingston University, London. “Following a successful trial of iStorage’s datAshur USB flash drive last year, Kingston University has subsequently decided to adopt the devices as standard for staff.”

“Kingston University’s decision to make iStorage’s datAshur USB flash drives the standard for staff using sensitive data away from its corridors underlines the University’s commitment to protect sensitive data on the move. It is a responsible policy and we look forward to others in the education sector to follow Kingston’s lead,” said John Michael, CEO at iStorage. “datAshur’s comprehensive digital and physical defences offer a vital level of data protection in today’s data security environment.”