Kingston turns to security

Kingston Technology is on the lookout for Canadian VARs specializing in security to push its latest USB flash drive, which is targeted at the enterprise.

The Fountain Valley, Calif.-based manufacturer introduced the Kingston DataTraveler Elite – Privacy Edition (DTE Privacy Edition) last month.

According to the company, it is the world’s first USB flash drive that secures 100 percent of data “on the fly” through 128-bit hardware-based Advanced Encryption Standard encryption, ensuring fail-safe security best practices without IT intervention.

“From a vertical perspective, we’re targeting finance, health care, pharmaceuticals and research and develop-ment companies,” said Alisha Munger, Kingston’s business development manager.

Munger added that the company is leveraging its reputation in the memory market to enhance its flash technology business.

“There are more efforts behind flash technology, since that is where the largest growth of the market is currently,” she said.

The DTE Privacy Edition ranges in capacity from 256MB to 4GB. In addition to hardware-based encryption, the drive features several security measures, including a complex password protocol and a mechanism that locks out potential attackers after 25 consecutive failed password attempts.

Munger said the device addresses a growing issue that enterprises are facing today, protecting sensitive data.

“From a security standpoint, if you have a mobility sales force or financial auditor, you want to make sure sensitive information is encrypted. This is a portable pocket sized device that can provide that,” she said.

New to Kingston’s channel strategy, Munger added, is the addition of security VARs. “And we’re developing that through software partnerships with companies like msystems and Securewave,” she added.

In Canada, the company will continue to rely on its existing reseller partners to market the DTE Privacy Edition, said David Kuo, general manager of Kingston Canada.

“One hundred percent of our sales is through the channel in Canada,” he said.

“We feel we have strongest partners currently both from the reseller and distribution perspective.”

Kuo added that the new USB flash drive is a perfect enterprise product for VARs specializing in verticals like government agencies, financial and medical groups.

“Our goal is to go in and talk to them directly so we can pull business through the channel,” he said.

Canadians are viewed by Kingston as early adopters, said Kuo.

“When we come out with products like this, we expect that Canada will be early to adopt, employ and benefit from it.”

In 2005, Canada accounted for US$95 million of Kingston’s revenue.

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Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

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