Article 8 - Encrypted Controllers

In recent monthsUSB Data Recovery Services have  received numerous requests to help recover data from devices that have turned out to have encryption on them.

In the past scandals involving data loss (most memorably from a government dept which sent out data burned onto an unencrypted CD) have meant that the tightening of organisations data transfer and data handling policies. This invariably means that executives in the NHS, for example, will use either a device with a secure U3 Utility on them or a device with some other inbuilt data encryption system.

There is also the added issue of a major brand - SanDisk(pictured) that, by default, have controller chips that encrypt the data as it is written onto the Flash NAND.

Whilst this makes the device secure both of these will cause complications in the recovery process as the encrypted data can't be decoded into a useable format for the individual whom has suffered from the data loss. Whilst no-one may expect to lose their data through a faulty device it is all too common for a USB memory stick and other flash based media to fail - totally unexpectedly.

If the device has PCB component failure or a bent / damaged connector then the chances of a successful recovery outcome are extremely high 95% or better.

Most users will not be aware of this encryption issue until it is too late! By that we mean that the device will have failed with the user unable to access the data on a device that is encrypted and in all probability unrecoverable.

Therefore our recommendation is that you always maintain a dual system of backup for portable storage media such as a USB Memory Stick. That way if one device does fail you revert to backup No2!