A Case of Mistaken Identity
Jun 23, 2022
Article
A Russian-made crypto ignition key (CIK) was mistakingly identified as a Datakey CIK, straightened out with the help of the online Crypto Museum website that originally noticed the key online.
Securely storing and updating product configuration data – a case study featuring Delta Computer Systems
Mar 28, 2022
Article
Forget sending out a technician or new hardware – use a custom Datakey memory token utilizing a Microchip CryptoAuthentication IC to load new features, also ensuring that a customer’s purchased configuration can be securely stored and later updated.
CryptoAuthentication in our Daily Lives – Efficient and Secure Management of Purchased Digital Credits
Feb 21, 2022
Article
The rate at which cyber attacks are taking place only seems to be growing. As enhanced methods of security continue to be devised and implemented, secure memory ICs are increasingly being integrated into the products prevalent in the environments in which we live.
No Room for Error – Accurately Pairing Wireless Medical Devices with a Physical Token
Jan 31, 2022
Article
There are many possible applications for the pairing of wireless products in our world – especially in mission-critical situations requiring absolute certainty in pairing. Using a portable memory device is an intuitive way to positively pair up transmitter and receiver(s) and could be an option in your design.
Curiosity Killed the Network – Beating the Security Risks of BadUSB with a Non-standard USB Port
Jan 20, 2022
Article
USB ports on embedded devices are handy, but cause security holes in an infrastructure. Datakey's alternative to decades-old USB port design improves security through a non-standard design.
Founder of Datakey, Bill Flies, Dies at 78
Apr 1, 2021
Article
Only a tiny number of people have the right stuff to create a successful business and brand that lasts for decades. Bill Flies was such a person. Bill Flies (pronounced “fleece”) founded Datakey in the mid-1970’s and was one of the early pioneers of solid-state portable memory.
Not All SD Cards Are Created Equal
Jun 6, 2018
Article
How can embedded system manufacturers make sure their users don't use unsupported or counterfeit SD cards? It's a challenge when the cards look legit and plug-in.
You Just Bricked Hundreds of Devices. Now What?
Dec 20, 2017
Article
An over-the-air (OTA) update just bricked hundreds of remote devices. Now what? This blog looks at various Plan B options to consider before the unthinkable happens.
RUGGEDrive Torture Test Video
Dec 21, 2016
Article
Who doesn’t love a good product torture test video? Watch what happens when a 120,000-pound tank runs over a USB flash drive, an SD card and a Datakey RUGGEDrive memory token.
Thwarting Elbonians with Proprietary Memory Devices
Jul 7, 2016
Article
Elbonians demonstrate the effectiveness and benefit of using a memory device (with SD card or USB flash drive functionality) with a non-standard/proprietary form factor.
World's Toughest SD Card
Apr 13, 2016
Article
Are there SD cards that are physically more robust than others, when they all use the same form factor? The video in this blog post shows destructive testing of SD cards, in the search for the world’s toughest SD card.
Portable Memory in IoT Applications
Feb 4, 2016
Article
Removable memory can be used with IoT or cloud-connected devices to provide ID or location information. It can also provide a local backup for devices' settings or programming.
Design Consideration: Cycle Life of Connectors
Jul 21, 2015
Article
A while ago, I experienced firsthand the importance of connector cycle life. I made a late-night run into a local supermarket to print some photos for a family event that was taking place the next day. I loaded the photos onto a USB flash drive, but when I plugged the drive into the self-service photo kiosk, something felt wrong.