Kingston Digital Details Plans for IronKey's Future

Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced that it has finalized the integration plans for IronKey. As a leader in the USB Flash drive market since 2004, Kingston will utilize its IronKey product line to deliver FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification solutions for customers who need the highest level of encryption and security. Kingston will ensure a smooth transition for existing IronKey customers and will work with its collective partners to enable access to sales and technical support, plus access to Kingston's world-class product and service resources.

The "Kingston IronKey" will be the company's top of the line as well as the industry's most secure USB Flash drive featuring FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification. FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification is a requirement for civilian and government agencies as well as military branches in the United States and Canada. The certification is also often a requirement or guideline for financial and healthcare industry organizations. FIPS 140-2 Level 3 calls for a tamper-evident seal for physical security to detect and respond to attempts to access, use or modify the cryptographic module. Achievement of this certification required rigorous testing, which was reviewed and approved by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It is a benchmark for security and reliability for agencies and enterprise organizations looking for the highest level of encryption.

Kingston will maintain its encrypted DataTraveler products, the world's most-used encrypted USB drives, for customers who do not require FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation. In addition, its close software partner DataLocker Inc. will continue to manage the SafeConsole and Enterprise Management Services (EMS) platforms that both Kingston and IronKey managed encrypted drives utilize.

"Kingston's acquisition of IronKey's USB technology and other assets is a win for both Kingston and its customers," said Michael Osterman, principal analyst at Osterman Research. "The acquisition will bolster Kingston's ability to penetrate the market for FIPS 140-2 USB drives in defense-related and other high-end markets where IronKey was strong; and, existing IronKey offerings will be upgraded with newer, higher performance capabilities."

"The encrypted USB market continues to be viable as there is always the need for governmental agencies and organizations of all levels to protect mobile data," said Nate Steffens, vice president commodity Flash, Kingston. "Many IronKey products today support legacy NAND technology. Kingston will leverage our longstanding relationships with Flash memory semiconductors, controller partners and other component makers as well as our strong channel presence to bring IronKey products into the future and to new customers."

The recent purchase of IronKey's technology and assets allow Kingston to focus on its core strength of encrypted USB drives. As part of the acquisition, Kingston has sold the encrypted external HDD business to DataLocker, whose product portfolio already includes similar solutions. The deal further strengthens the partnership between the two companies.

Last updated: Apr 7, 2020 at 01:11 pm CDT