Your Business in Your Pocket

 Everyone who takes a laptop out of the office or completes a desktop task must back up the data to ensure that, if the hardware crashes, goes missing, or the information gets corrupted, the hours of hard work are not lost.

More individuals now use USB flash drives as a secure, portable alternative to storing data on the local hard drive of a computer. Whether one uses the flash drive to work on data, run operating programs, or store email, contacts, etc., there is a growing realization that flash drives are the future of memory. Indeed, the goal of flash drive developers is to create hardware that will eliminate the need to have memory built into computers. The future computer may be just a tool for input and transmission.

 The reasonable price has made these little sticks ubiquitous and indispensable to anyone needing to retain or transfer data. Because they contain no moving parts, flash drives are highly durable and reliable.

 Although it is impossible to prevent information loss completely, flash-drive technology is now available with encryption to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the information. Manufacturers offer drive capacities ranging from 1-to-8 GB using simple encryption methods that rely on third-party security software or the host operating system. This level of security keeps your data safe from anyone curious to find out what's on the stick. However, if you need stronger encryption, more secure flash storage is available.

 Here are some of the security features accompanying this new technology:

 •  Tamper resistance that meets validation requirements set by the Canadian government

•  The encryption is built into the flash drive and not the host. Thus, the password created when the unit is initialized stays in the unit

•  Limited password attempts. Once the threshold is reached, the unit destroys all information

•  Any attempt to access the unit's mini circuits causes destruction of all information

•  Forget your password? New units have a built-in digital certificate that matches the registration and password stored at a secure server

•  Biometric sensors capable of using the fingerprints of multiple individuals combined with encryption codes to access data

 The current GB size limits the amount of data or operating systems that can be placed on a USB flash drive but should be sufficient for most small businesses with normal business applications and data-file size. At a price starting at $80 and peaking around $300, these units are a positive alternative to other storage media because they provide not only storage but also the comfort of knowing that client, company and staff information cannot be compromised.