Why buy a flash drive with encryption? Isn't it better and cheaper to encrypt it yourself? Not quite...

The article discusses the benefits of having FIPS hardware-level encryption on a drive. FIPS, or Federal Information Processing Standards, is a set of standards that govern how data must be processed and protected by the U.S. government. Having hardware encryption on a drive means that data is encrypted directly at the hardware level, which can significantly enhance data security compared to software-based encryption solutions. Another argument for FIPS is its compliance with legal requirements in certain industries, which can be crucial for companies handling sensitive information. Additionally, hardware encryption can offer better performance and lower CPU load, allowing for faster operation of systems. The article also emphasizes the importance of minimizing the risk of data theft and the benefits associated with hardware certification.