May 27, 2011 09:31 GMT  ·  By

While there are more than a few flash drives with security features, few can really claim to have the highest level of data protection, and Kanguru's Defender family is now under tests to see if they fit those high standards.

Kanguru might not release new flash drives as often as other companies do, but it does make a point of implementing the best level of security it can.

It is for this reason that its series of secure and encrypted USB drives is called the Defender series.

For those that want a reminder, the units in this collection utilize 256-bit AES hardware encryption, as well as Master Password and on-board anti-virus/malware protection.

They also support remote management, allowing one to enable domain restrictions, reset the password or just turn the drive on or off.

Additionally, even the physical side of things is covered by the tamper resistant design. What's more, the Defender drives can run their own secure, virtual operating system.

All in all, their maker wants them to be recognized as top-notch in terms of data security, so the drives, along with the Kanguru Remote Management Console (KRMC), are now being evaluated under Common Criteria, an internationally recognized security evaluation program.

“By undergoing the Common Criteria evaluation, we continue to position ourselves on top of the secure portable data storage industry.” said Don Brown, CEO of Kanguru.

“Common Criteria, along with our fully manageable devices and current FIPS 140-2 Validations, distinguishes our products and services as the most secure, manageable and feature rich in the portable data storage industry.”

The tests are being conducted by atsec information security and overseen by the German Federal Office for Information Security.

“Atsec is pleased to be undertaking this evaluation effort with a product having a very tight coupling of hardware and software,” stated Ken Hake, Laboratory Manager for atsec, commented.

“We will also work to demonstrate that it is compliant with the Common Criteria Protection Profile for USB Storage Media. Version 1.4.”