Ever needed to eradicate a great deal of sensitive information in a pinch? Soon, that may be possible.
TeamGroup Inc. has recently unveiled an unconventional external SSD. The T-Create Expert P35S has a built-in self-destruct mechanism that can both erase all stored data and permanently disable the drive itself. All at the press of a button.
At first, the P35S looks like a typical portable SSD. It’s a compact black USB-powered stick offered in capacities from 256 GB up to 2 TB. But its self-destruct switch sets it apart from nearly all external storage devices on the market.
Fortunately, the switch is designed to be difficult to activate by accident. Activation requires two stages. Users must first slide the switch forward to expose a red warning band, before pressing it down to initiate destruction. Then the device undergoes what TeamGroup calls “dual-mode data destruction”, a process that combines software erasure with physical damage to the NAND memory chips. This will apparently ensure zero recoverable data and prevent any form of forensic recovery, effectively turning the device into useless electronic waste.
There is a downside, though. The SSD cannot self-destruct unless it’s plugged into a computer. So if you, for some reason, need to destroy the drive in a hurry, you must have a USB connection and a laptop at the ready. But maybe that is something those who have a need for sudden data destruction will bear in mind.
Another downside is the P35S’s lack of advanced security measures that people have come to expect from similar storage devices. It does not include hardware encryption, biometric locks, or digital PIN protection. Its one key benefit is the ability to completely and irreversibly destroy data on demand, rather than preventing digital access through typical methods.
TeamGroup has not yet announced pricing or availability details about the SSD, but will likely target users handling and transporting confidential data rather than everyday consumers.
Cora is a digital copywriter for SSLs.com. Having eight years of experience in online content creation, she is a versatile writer with an interest in a wide variety of topics, ranging from technology to marketing.