Although most portable/external storage solution manufacturers prefer to equip their devices with all sorts of hardware/software security technologies, the truth of the matter is that one cannot really be too careful when sensitive data is concerned. For this reason, Addonics has come up with the CipherChain ExpressCard, which uses a “Cipher” key to provide notebook computer users the ability to secure their external hard drive/SSD with enhanced encryption.

Designed to be installed into a notebook’s ExpressCard 34/54 slot, the CipherChain ExpressCard instantly adds an eSATA port with AES 256-bit hardware encryption capability. The eSATA port is a hybrid port so it can provide USB power to operate low power devices, at the same time delivering very good data transfer rates.

The eSATA port encrypts any external eSATA hard drive or SSD with the simple insertion of the Cipher key. There is no software to run or password to remember. Plus, the CipherChain ExpressCard secures the external storage with full disk encryption, which means that, if the external storage device is ever stolen and connected to any computer, it will appear as a blank drive with no trace of data.

As long as the user is in possession of the Cipher key, they can access the encrypted hard drive on another notebook equipped with the CipherChain ExpressCard or a desktop system equipped with the Addonics CipherChain. Plus, it's possible to share the same encryption key to operate on a storage device that has been encrypted by other Addonics drive kits and multiple keys are available with the same key codes.

The CipherChain ExpressCard can also operate in non-encryption mode by setting the encryption button to OFF position. This provides the flexibility to connect encrypted or non-encrypted eSATA storage devices to one's notebook, and all for just around 90 US dollars.

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