Apricorn Aegis Secure Key 3
pros and cons
Pros
- Quantum-resistant encryption
- Totally platform independent
- Very tough, crush-resistant, and IP68 rated
Cons
- Very expensive
- Overkill in terms of capacity for most users.
Apricorn is a manufacturer of encrypted storage drives that I have reviewed and used personally for years, including the 3NX, the 3Z, and other Aegis keys. Last week it released a 4TB version of its Aegis Secure Key 3, the highest-capacity hardware‑encrypted USB drive of its kind.
It is not a bulky desk‑side device; the drive is a pocket‑sized, quantum‑resistant hardware‑encrypted flash drive.
What is ‘quantum-resistant hardware encryption’?
Modern encryption has advanced far beyond simple substitution ciphers. Imagine a combination lock with a theoretical number of possibilities comparable to the number of atoms in the universe — a 1 followed by 77 zeros. Such key spaces are beyond the reach of brute‑force attacks, even for powerful computers.
Quantum‑resistant encryption protects against the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat, ensuring that data with long confidentiality requirements remains secure.
How Apricorn protects against real-world attacks
Most attacks rely on simple factors such as default passwords, weak PINs, or wear patterns on keypads. Apricorn addresses these risks by shipping drives without default passwords, blocking short PINs, and using a wear‑resistant polymer for the keypad.
The drive works perfectly on USB-C‑equipped Macs with a third‑party USB-C‑to‑USB‑A adapter.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
From tamper‑resistant epoxy resin to anti‑brute‑force protection that wipes the drive after failed attempts, Apricorn builds robust defenses. The drive is self‑contained, requiring no software installation; simply plug it in, press a button, enter the passcode, and access the data. Its platform‑independent design works with any USB‑capable system.
Additional security features include an optional self‑destruct PIN that can erase the drive while appearing functional, and an automatic lock that engages when the device is left unattended.
AES‑256 XTS encryption, validated for FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 (pending certification), underpins the cryptographic protection.
The drive meets IP68 standards for dust and water resistance and is constructed from extruded aluminum, offering drop and crush resistance up to 6,500 pounds.
Comparison with iStorage and Kingston
Apart from Apricorn, competing products such as the iStorage dataAshur PRO+C and Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 provide similar hardware‑encrypted drives. Capacity ranges differ: Apricorn offers 16 GB to 4 TB, iStorage up to 512 GB, and Kingston also up to 512 GB.
Apricorn – Aegis Secure Key 3
iStorage – dataAshur PRO+C
Kingston – IronKey Keypad 200
Capacity range
16 GB/4 TB
32 GB/512 GB
8 GB/512 GB
Encryption
AES‑256 XTS, hardware‑based (all three)
FIPS status
Apricorn submitted for NIST CMVP 140‑3 Level 3 validation (pending); iStorage and Kingston are already FIPS 140‑3 Level 3 validated.
Keypad
Yes (all)
IP rating
IP68 (all)
Entry price (approx.)
≈ $169 for 16 GB, ≈ $96 for 32 GB, ≈ $75 for 8 GB (Apricorn)
≈ $96 for 32 GB, ≈ $259 for 512 GB (iStorage)
≈ $389 for 512 GB (Kingston)
Apricorn’s primary advantage is capacity; no other vendor offers a hardware‑encrypted USB drive larger than 512 GB.
Who needs 4 TB of pocket‑sized storage?
While most users do not require such capacity, government agencies, defense contractors, healthcare providers, financial institutions, legal firms, and forensic investigators often handle sensitive data that must be transferred securely without network exposure.
ZDNET’s assessment
The 4TB quantum‑resistant flash drive is priced near $3,000, reflecting its niche positioning. Lower‑capacity tiers start around $169, making advanced encryption accessible to a broader audience. For users needing more than 512 GB of encrypted portable storage, Apricorn currently offers the only solution in that category.
