iStorage diskAshur M2
Robust encrypted storage to protect your data
From $169 From iStorage, istorage-uk.com Features 7-15 digit PIN, IP68 waterproof rating, shockproof
Macs offer several good options for securing and safeguarding sensitive data, including APFS encryption and sparsebundles. But two requirements often left unsatisfied are protection from physical damage and loss, and audit trails for compliance with policy or standards. Those are the strengths of a specialist SSD which is physically robust and can enforce password policies and more, such as the diskAshur M2.
It’s available from 120GB to 2TB and weighs just three ounces with its protective aluminium sleeve. Security is controlled by its own processor and keypad, whose keys are wear-resistant so regular use won’t reveal the digits of your PIN.
When powered from a USB–A or USB-C port, you enter your password and macOS mounts it like any external disk. It can be formatted in APFS, Mac Extended, and more.
Read and write speeds in APFS are around 300MB/s — slightly slower than a regular SATA SSD but ample for working documents.
Because the diskAshur M2 locks automatically when USB power is stopped, macOS may disconnect it when going to sleep, resulting in a warning when awoken and the need to enter its password again — but this is beneficial for security.
It supports admin and user roles, one– time recovery PIN, seven– to 15–digit PIN lengths and restriction policies, and prohibits insecure PINs such as sequential digits. Encryption is by validated AES-XTS 256-bit. The cost of these features is modest, at about twice the price of a good SATA SSD.
THE BOTTOM LINE. Rugged encrypted external storage for a reasonable cost, with advanced password and admin features. HOWARD OAKLEY