I’ve started using virtual machines for my development environment. This way I can have isolated environments setup for each of the types of work I do. Since I put these VMs on an external drive. It gives me a consistent environment whether working at the office, home, or on my notebook.
The concern I have about doing this, is all of my (or my employer’s) source code is on this drive. There’s a fair bit of IP riding around in my backpack.
I came across this product from Data Locker. It’s an external drive enclosure with a touch sensitive display.
When you plug the drive into your computer, the display comes to life and prompts for your passcode. After entering the correct code, the computer recognizes the drive and you can start working.
They were a little vague about how they accomplish this, but they tell me that if the drive is removed from the case that it will still be unreadable. Leaving your data secure.
They have also done some thinking about enterprise customers and have created a two tier passcode. This allows a manager or IT department to have a master passcode and each individual to have their own. This way if an employee forgets their passcode, or leaves the company, the data can still be accessed.
It is sold as just an enclosure, or with 80, 120 and 250 GB 2.5″ drives. Prices are $100, $160, $200, and $300 respectively.