Kobra VS Introduction
Kobra VS are external encrypted hard disks and USB-C memory sticks with approval by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) for classified data up to
These are the only devices on the market that we are aware of that require MFA to unlock. Drives are unlocked using a PKI cryptographic smart card and a PIN that is assigned to a specific user. The card reader is built in.
It comes with a management application that will allow an administrator to configure each device, assign a smart card to a device, whether it can only read or read and write, manage timeout and lockout functions, etc.
They are entirely GDPR compliant and can be shipped easily as long as the smart card is not included.
All the encryption and decryption happen on the device on the fly, only after the user has successfully been authenticated. Until the user is authenticated, all any computer sees is an unknown device drawing power; it won’t even recognize it as a storage medium.
Once the user has authenticated, every device sees a plain old USB mass storage device. So if a device can use a generic USB thumb drive, these drives are compatible with it, so the use cases are endless.
Secure encrypted external storage for the public and private sectors.
The Kobra VS storage devices correspond to the current state of the technology, as regulated by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), and enable the GDPR compliant data storage, data retention, forwarding and secure transport of sensitive, personal and classified information up to the classification level VS-NfD (German public sector classification), RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED and NATO RESTRICTED.
Security mechanisms
The following security mechanisms assure the confidentiality of the data:
- Encryption: 256-bit AES full-disk hardware encryption in XTS mode using two 256-bit crypto keys
- Access Control: Two-factor authentication via smartcard and PIN according to the principle “having and knowing”
- Cryptographic Keys Management: Administration of the cryptographic keys by the Users: Create, Modify, and Destroy
Kobra VS Encrypted storage technical information:
- Integrated power supply
- Execution of many functions without a PC connection
- Simple operation, maintenance, and support free
- Modern USB-C connection
- Compatible with USB 3.0 & 2.0
- Operating system independent and bootable
- No performance limitations
- Up to 8 smartcards (PKI cards) can be configured per device
- Automatic encryption of all data, boot sectors, temporary files, and partitions in real time
- Automatic formatting after key change
- Read-Only Mode mechanism
- Time out function (1 to 30 minutes)
- Lock-Out and Quick-Out functions
- Sturdy metal housing protected against splash water
User management by the administrator
The administrator can integrate and delete users, set read and write permissions, manage time-out and lock-out functions, and manage the number of failed attempts for PIN entries. In addition, the administrator functions can be locked for the users.
Existing PKI smartcards can be integrated.
In addition to Kobra Infosec smartcards, existing PKI-based company ID, Service, and Troop ID smartcards can be used for authentication. Identity cards from Auðkenni are not yet compatible, but a fix for that will be in the next release. If your existing ID cards aren’t compatible, that is an easy fix.
In terms of confidentiality, all data stored on the KOBRA VS storage device is protected against unauthorized access in case of loss or theft of the device.
GDPR compliant
Sensitive, classified, and personal data and information can be stored in full compliance with the GDPR.
Transparent use
Hardware encryption means that all data is automatically and immediately stored in encrypted form without any loss of performance. The device using the drive is unaware that any encryption is occurring.
Independent of the operating systems
- All security features are fully implemented in the Kobra VS storage devices, so they work with all known operating systems and multimedia devices.
- Kobra VS storage devices are bootable and can be used for the simultaneous storage of an operating system and of sensitive, classified data
Kobra VS Encrypted storage device details
Kobra Stick VS
Encrypted USB-C data storage stick with German VS-NfD BSI approval
PKI integration:
- Up to 8 (PKI)
Memory sizes:
- MLC 16GB up to 1TB
- pSLC 8GB up to 128GB
Read/write speed:
- Up to 120 MB/s
Weight:
- 81 g
Dimensions:
- 8,4 cm x 2,7 cm x 1,4 cm
Kobra Drive VS
External encrypted HDD / SSD with German VS-NfD approval
PKI integration:
- Up to 8 (PKI)
Memory sizes:
- HDD 1TB, 2TB
- SSD 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB and 16TB
Read/write speed:
- HDD up to 80 MB/s
- SSD up to 250 MB/s
Weight:
- HDD 415 g
- SSD 363 g
Dimensions:
- 13,2 cm x 7,7 cm x 2,1 cm
