On the surface, the Novac Mobile Disk Security Drive is nothing special; it's just an 1.8-inch, 20GB, 4,200-rpm hard drive. The drive may be poorly named, but it might be just the thing for keeping sensitive data safe and secure while retaining portability. With special File Guard security software, the drive automatically encrypts and decrypts data that is saved to and retrieved from it. And when you attach the drive to your PC, you have to authenticate in order to access it.

The drive weighs a mere 2.75 ounces and is small enough to slip into a bag or pocket. So when you inevitably leave it in the back of a cab with all your financial documents on it, you'll be thankful for the built-in file encryption. My only concern is about performance; the drive is already small and somewhat slow compared to other portable drives that are 5,400- to 7200-rpm and come with hundreds of gigs. Adding encryption technology to every read and write will slow it more. If Novac decides to expand this technology to larger drives or license it to laptop manufacturers so laptops come with built-in drive encryption, then I could see this taking off.

[ via PCLaunches ]