Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Jul 20
Apricorn Launches 4TB Encrypted USB Drive at $3,000, Claiming Highest Capacity in Its Class
Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Jul 20

Apricorn Launches 4TB Encrypted USB Drive at $3,000, Claiming Highest Capacity in Its Class

2 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jul 20

Summary

  • Apricorn has released a 4TB version of its Aegis Secure Key 3, positioning it as the highest-capacity hardware-encrypted USB flash drive currently available.
  • The drive uses hardware-based AES-256 XTS encryption aimed at “harvest now, decrypt later” risks, with keypad entry, anti-brute-force wipe protection, auto-lock and an optional self-destruct PIN.
  • Apricorn says the device meets and exceeds FIPS 140-3 Level 3 requirements and has been submitted to NIST for formal validation; it is also IP68-rated and crush-resistant up to 6,500 pounds.
  • Its main differentiator is capacity rather than encryption standard: rival encrypted USB drives from iStorage and Kingston top out at 512GB, while Apricorn’s range spans 16GB to 4TB.
  • The 4TB model costs about $3,000, though lower-capacity versions start near $169, targeting users such as government, healthcare, finance and legal teams that need air-gapped transfer of sensitive data.

Insights

Is this $3,000 quantum-proof drive an expensive solution for a problem that malware and phishing already bypass?
Can this drive's firmware be updated for future quantum-resistant standards, or is its security frozen in time?