ioSafe Demo-Lition, a First Hand Account

Once again I was privileged to be part of the ioSafe Demo-Lition team during CES 2010 in Las Vegas. For the third time in Vegas we pulled off our live demonstrations with 100% data recovery.

Back in 2007 for the INTEROP IT Expo and Conference we discovered a sports bar off the strip called Screw Balls which would soon become legendary. The owner George was intrigued by ioSafe's idea of a "barbecue" and agreed to let it happen. So it was born, an annual live demonstration in Sin City at World Famous Screw Balls sports bar. The first demo included a select group of storage insiders including Network Computing Magazine and others. Steven Hill captured the first ever video of an ioSafe being torched in Las Vegas Moonlight.

In 2009 ioSafe decided to push the envelope with a full week of demos for the press, bloggers and industry giants during CES. The likes of Engadget, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Wall Street Journal and more were on hand to get the inside story on the ioSafe Solo Hard drive. Over the course of a week twelve hard drives were subjected to fireproof and waterproof tests with 100% data recovery. The demo was held off the strip at a private location where 'barbecue' scenarios can be shown in full effect. The video below shows the 2009 test in full.

The only way to top 2009 was to go bigger in 2010. That was accomplished with the introduction of the ioSafe SSD solid state hard drive. This external drive is fire and waterproof just like the entry level Solo, however it now offers crushproof and shockproof protection. The internal SSD is wrapped in ArmorPlate steel and can withstand drop, shock and vibration. The product demonstration brought us back to Screw Balls, this time with an excavator and high pressure water truck.

A 35,000 lb. excavator became the centerpiece of the demonstration and product review showcase. This allowed CEO Robb Moore to not only drop the SSD drive from 20+ feet but also crush it into the pavement. I assisted with the setup both prior to and during the live product reviews. Six demonstrations were held throughout CES 2010 with 100% success. Data was recovered from each SSD drive that underwent the stress tests.

For the last five years we have been deploying and setting up ioSafe hard drives and systems in IT environments of all types. This includes Linux, Windows and even some AIX environments. It's been a great ride thus far and I am quite proud to be part of the ioSafe team. I look forward to 2010 and continued success with a great product.

Have Questions? Call Toll Free 1-866-867-0306

Military Grade Hard Drives for the Computer

Rugged computer hard drives are a must for everyone who works in the field doing research or business operations. Protecting data from accidental drop, shock and vibration are paramount to data integrity.

There are several manufacturers that make rugged external hard drives as well as portable drives. One of the most reputable brand names in the military grade market is Olixir or Olixer (mispelled) engineer high end flash drives, solid state external disks as well as custom computer towers that offer extreme duty protection from accidental drop or impact.

Recently ioSafe debuted an SSD drive that compares to the Olixir in that it can withstand shock and vibration without data loss. The ArmorPlate military grade steel case on the ioSafe drive also features fireproof and waterproof layers to protect from data disaster of all type.

Both brands have attractive features and prices and take data storage very serious. Olixir stands out in the portable hard drive arena and the ioSafe brand is now very well known and trusted in the military spec market.

Alternate Testing for UL Rating

Testing for Safes and Digital Storage
Historically the Underwriters Laboratories, know collectively as UL, has been the world leader in the testing of fireproof safes, fire files and other products that require independent third party verification. While most consumers are familiar with the U.L. label on products there are other testing facilities that perform fire endurance tests.

ETL or Intertek is a very highly regarded testing laboratory for both fire and water endurance or resistance. ETL provides a full range of Product Testing, Certification and Inspection for benchmark setting, performance standards and more.

Another alternate testing for ul ratings is the Western Fire Center in Kelso, Washington. The fire experts at WFC specialize in fire testing, materials testing, materials properties, ICAL, calorimeter, fire investigation as well as fire litigation.

Omega Point Labs or OPL is another division of Intertek. OPL has the capability of testing to industry requirements, ASTM standards (fire curves) to quickly determine surface burning characteristics of products around the world.

Fire Safe Rating

There are a variety of fireproof safes on the market today that carry a wide range of fire ratings. Most business class safes carry the UL 1 hour fire rating (as well as 2 hour and 3 hour).

UL or Underwriters Laboratories is the world's foremost expert in independent fire testing and rated products and the trusted testing facility to know your safe is built to the best possible classification.

1 Hour Fire Rating vs 2 Hour Rating on a Safe
The UL system for fire protection means that a safe with a UL 350 1 hour rating will protect the contents (paper only) for up to one hour at 1700 degrees F. The 2 hour rated safe (UL 350) will protect it's contents (paper only) for up to two hours at 1700 degrees F.

The safe with the best highest fire rating would carry the UL 3 hour rating. Keep in mind this rating is for protection from fire, not necessarily designed for burglary.


Additional Safe Ratings
There are other types of safe ratings that pertain to security, burglary, fire and a combination of both. This includes media or data safes with UL 125 ratings, TL-15 safes up to TRTL x 6 as well as products that carry both UL rated stamps of approval.

In our next series of blogs we'll cover each rating in more depth.

Have Questions? Call Toll Free 1-866-867-0306

NSA Approved Safes

Storage of documents, data and evidence requires a specialty security safe know as a GSA Approved container. These safes, cabinets and file cabinets are engineered to specific requirements set forth by the Dept. of Defense.

Throughout the course of history there have been several classifications of these safes that have been refined to meet specific criteria for security. Currently there are two (2) types of gsa containers including Class 5 and Class 6. The Class 6 safes are generally used for the storage of documents, external hard drives and laptops (in a powered off or non operational mode). Class 5 containers are used for the same materials as well as evidence, ammunition, cash, narcotics and weapons.

These safes also have specialized locks that are available in both digital electronic and mechanical combination depending upon the spec. More information is available on the GSA or NSA approved list in # FF-L-2740.

Two Person Integrity Safes (TPI)

Access control and preserving the integrity of the contents in a safe are a top consideration for many large companies. A powerful feature on the X-09 lock is two person integrity. This lock is the standard on many GSA Approved Safes and containers. The Class 6 safes (2 drawer, 4 drawer and 5 drawer, etc) for the storage of up to classified and top secret documents and materials have this lock standard.

The X-09 is a digital electronic dial combination lock that allows for TPI (Two Person Integrity). All GSA Approved containers that come standard with the X-09 electromechanical lock meet the federal specification #FF-L-2740. Other safes with TPI are the dual lock field safe which can be designated for two person integrity - whereby two individuals each have a combination to one lock. Other methods may apply.

For more information please visit http://safeandvault.com/index.php/safes/gsa-approved

Electronic Handgun Safes

Inside look at the GunVault Mini Deluxe

For handgun owners that are looking for an electronic safe that offers both security and safety, the GunVault line of pistol or handgun safes is a best buy. In this post we take a closer look at the GV1000C Deluxe, this safe offers lightning fast access to your weapon or sidearm of choice and includes several features that we will detail below.

Location of Batteries
Accessing the AA alkaline batteries on the GunVault isn't too difficult. If you have large hands though, you're going to need some assistance. The first step is to turn your electronic gun safe upside down. By doing so you can more easily access the battery compartment.

Battery Replacement
Gently pull the foam lining at the back of the GunVault, this will give you access to the battery compartment. Please do not tear the foam lining loose!

Simply remove the two fasteners that hold the compartment in place and gently remove the battery tray. Be careful that you do not pull the wires out of place!


After you have removed the battery tray, install (8) eight Duracell AA batteries (recommended by GunVault) for best performance.


Once you have installed the new batteries simply replace the battery tray in the proper location and install the fastener nuts. Remember not to over tighten the fasteners.

Now you are ready to program your lock!