CipherShield Dual Keys Encrypted External Hard Drive safeguards and protects classified information when they are too important to be left in the hand of one individual. To gain access to the drive, authentication will be based on two unique Cipher Keys. It requires both keys to be plugged in all the time while working with the drive. It is like getting a safe deposit box that takes two keys to open. It is suitable for group setting where more than one individual are working on highly confidential projects. i.e. blueprints for company''s next new products, top secret programs, highly confidential legal cases, sensitive customer records and financial information. CipherShield design features a chip embedded in the access key which matches the AES encryption module on the controller board. The drive will automatically lock down its content once the key is unplugged, or power is shut off. And without the access key, data will not be seen or accessed in the event of theft or loss of the external drive. Data stored on the hard drive are safeguarded by hardware-based National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) certified industrial strength AES (Advanced Encryption standard) cryptographic engine. The advantage of hardware encryption over software encryption is that you need not be concerned about Trojans/viruses or software upgrades, which results in a decrease of total cost of ownership. Since CipherShield encrypts data independent of the operating system; removing the drive and connecting it directly to the SATA BUS will not defeat the encryption. Unit is bundled with two keys and registration is required for key duplication.