Kingston reveals its toughest encrypted USB Drive yet and it can even help you try and avoid typos

Date:
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 22:05:00 +0000

Description:
Kingston IronKey Locker+ 50 G2 delivers AES 256-bit hardware encryption, layered password protections, and physical durability for secure enterprise-grade USB storage.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get the TechRadar Newsletter Sign up for
breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter IronKey Locker+ 50 G2 secures data with AES 256-bit hardware encryption FIPS 197 certification ensures compliance with government and enterprise standards Digitally signed firmware reduces exposure to BadUSB attacks Kingston has introduced the IronKey Locker+ 50 G2 as a hardware-encrypted USB secure drive built around XTS-AES 256-bit encryption.

This device carries FIPS 197 certification and aligns with compliance requirements often associated with government procurement standards. The company claims digitally signed firmware is used to reduce exposure to BadUSB-related threats. Article continues below You may like I'm not sure anyone expected this - an unlikely new entrant enters the flash drive market, and it's one for true Raspberry Pi fans Sandisk reveals its next-generation
of portable SSDs for creatives on the move but there's enough for office workers there too There's no such thing as 'military-grade encryption'
Layered protections extend beyond firmware safeguards The c supports safeguards against brute force password attempts that aim to block repeated unauthorized login efforts.

These are enterprise-grade features, but their effect will be on implementation quality rather than certification labels alone.

"With the LP50G2, the Kingston IronKey lineup is all XTS-AES 256-bit hardware-encrypted with a baseline FIPS 197 certification by a NIST
authorized lab," said Martin Komal, encrypted product manager, Kingston.

"In addition, IronKey leads the industry with three best-in-class FIPS 140-3 Level 3 validated drives. This portfolio offers superior data protection solutions designed to meet the specific requirements of consumer, enterprise, and government customers." Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features
and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The device introduces multiple password modes that accommodate both complex strings and longer passphrases, ranging from structured character
combinations to sentences or even lyrics.

This flexibility attempts to balance memorability and strength, although it inherently depends on user behavior rather than system enforcement alone.

Administrators retain the ability to reset user credentials, which adds a recovery pathway but also introduces a layer of oversight that may not suit all use cases. What to read next Exclusive: Lexar debuts mysterious AI grade stick form factor that promises hot swap, blazing speeds and no, I've got absolutely no clue how much it costs and whether device vendors will actually use it The most secure VPN providers: safe options for the best security and encryption, tested by in-house experts 'Simply irresponsible': Microsoft confirms it will give your BitLocker encryption keys to the FBI if asked -
but there is a way to keep your data private

A notable addition involves a visible password toggle that allows users to confirm typed input, which Kingston suggests can reduce errors during authentication.

This device includes a virtual keyboard that limits exposure to keyloggers
and screen capture tools, though such protections are not entirely immune to more advanced attack methods.

The device also incorporates an anti-fingerprint coating, which appears focused more on physical durability than measurable security improvement.

The IronKey Locker+ 50 G2 uses a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, delivering read speeds up to 145 MB/s and write speeds up to 115 MB/s which is within range for encrypted flash storage .

Its capacity options span from 32 GB to 256 GB, and the device operates
within standard environmental tolerances, including temperatures between 0C and 50C during use.

The compact enclosure combines metal and plastic materials within a 60.56 mm frame and weighs under 23 grams.

It remains compatible with Windows 11 and macOS systems without requiring additional software installation.

Kingston describes the setup process as straightforward, although the requirement for consecutive drive letters may introduce minor limitations in certain system configurations.

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