AES 256-Bit Hardware Disk Encryption Solution Announced by Addonics

Addonics Technologies, Inc. announced an AES 256-bit hardware full disk encryption solution for personal computers, servers, rack mounted systems, data storage equipment and, basically, any computing equipment.

Called the Addonics CipherChain, the new product is a small module the size of a Compact Flash that can easily and quickly be installed into any system. Since it can be operated under any Operating System, CipherChain is an ideal security solution for organizations with legacy systems or in a heterogeneous computing environment.

There’s no software to run, no driver to install and no password to remember in operating the CipherChain. All the user has to do is to insert the correct Cipher key before powering on the system or the storage device. There is also no training required.

The CipherChain works with any SATA I/II hard drive, SSD (Solid State Drive) or storage device with SATA interface. Addonics provides a wide choice of mounting brackets to install the CipherChain into various systems.

CipherChain’s AES 256-bit encryption is the highest level of encryption and is secure enough to protect even the most sensitive information. The boot sector, partition table and all the information in the drive are encrypted. You can raise the security level to increasingly complex level by simply daisy-chaining two or more CipherChains.

One of CipherChain’s key features is its high performance. The hard drive is encrypted and decrypted on the fly by the onboard crypto engine with no utilization of any CPU resource. There is practically no noticeable performance impact on the drive or the system. The high performance crypto engine is NIST and CES certified.

Another important feature is its flexibility. It’s great for securing a system from unauthorized access; preventing sensitive data from unauthorized access when a storage device is lost or stolen; shipping or transporting storage devices containing sensitive data, or for encrypting an entire RAID volume or a specific storage device within a RAID volume.

List price starts at $79 for model CCM35MK1, which includes one CipherChain, a pair of Cipher keys and a mounting bracket for installing into a standard 3.5" drive bay.

Addonics products are available through the company online store, major catalog companies, resellers, VARs and distributors, including Amazon.com, PC Connection, CDW, Buy.com, Provantage.com, Insight, and Ingram Micro.