Western Digital has announced its new G-Technology-branded external SSD for content creators and individuals with sensitive content using the company's ArmorLock security platform. The new platform combines sophisticated encryption algorithms with ease of use and remote management. Instead of using on-device password authentication, Western Digital's ArmorLock relies on biometric authentication (facial recognition or fingerprint reader) or password authentication used on modern smartphones and a special app that issues a key that unlocks the wireless reader when connected to a PC. ArmorLock sandboxed applications also support remote management, allowing administrators to control multiple user access to multiple drives. This approach removes passwords, makes the player easier to use, and improves security, as sometimes people use passwords that are too simple that they aren't hard to guess (or even type the passwords on the back of the player). .
ArmorLock
Western Digital's ArmorLock G encrypted NVMe SSD, the first drive to use the platform, comes with AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption and NIST P-256 elliptic curve-based key management. The unit features third-party audited core cryptography with side-channel attack mitigation for added protection. Additionally, the product automatically updates its firmware when connected to the ArmorLock app.
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(Image credit: Western Digital) When it comes to performance, G-Technology's ArmorLock encrypted NVMe SSD is designed for sequential read and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s, which is in line with other drives that use an interface. USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C. In addition to sophisticated security technologies, G-Technology's ArmorLock encrypted NVMe SSD can physically protect data. The unit comes in a rugged chassis that is IP67 dust and waterproof, can withstand a 1,000lb crush, and can be dropped from three meters. G-Technology's ArmorLock encrypted NVMe SSD doesn't come cheap. The drive is currently only available in a 2TB configuration and is priced at €599 in the US and €559.99 in the UK. Source: Western Digital