14 DAY TRIAL // The security of one's data is a very important element nowadays and this is the reason why most portable storage solutions launched lately come packed with their own hardware or software data protection systems. And this is also the case with SanDisk's latest models, announced in June 2007, the Cruzer Professional and Cruzer Enterprise, two business-oriented devices that offer both high storage spaces, very fast data transfer rates, as well as quite a number of important security features.
Thus, both models offer password protection and data security through hardware-based 256-bit AES encryption, which is a lot more effective than the software-based one since it can't be compromised by any possible threats. Moreover, as the company informs us, each of the two models sports its own special security systems, which we'll present as follows.
Thus, the Cruzer Professional allows users to establish a secure, password-protected "Privacy Zone" that can occupy anywhere from one percent to 100 percent of the drive's total capacity. The area outside the Privacy Zone is unprotected and is therefore open to any user, while the privacy zone is completely locked down.
The Cruzer Enterprise features mandatory password protection for the entire drive, so all files are encrypted if the drive is lost or stolen. Mandatory encryption, as well as a set-up process that requires users to create complex passwords, make Cruzer Enterprise a very good solution for those companies that require very tight data security protocols.
Both USB flash drives provide fast data transfer rates (read speeds of 24 MB per second and write speeds of 20 MB/sec), and are available in 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB models. SanDisk provides the following MSRPs for the Cruzer Professional: 1 GB for $54.99, 2GB for $94.99 and 4GB for $144.99, while the Cruzer Enterprise has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $74.99 for the 1 GB model, $124.99 for the 2 GB model and $184.99 for the 4 GB model. The two new models are already available in the US and they will probably hit Europe in July, as well as Asia later this year.
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