manual

Processor
Figure 3: Software-based Encryption Process
[5]
The encryption process is slower than hardware encryption because bottlenecks
occur when unencrypted data is processed into encrypted data due to the strain
it puts on the processor. Bottleneck size increases as the amount of files to be
encrypted increases
[5]
.
Not only that, the price to have software-based encryption on the USB drive is
higher than hardware-based encryption. This is because USB drive
manufacturers have to pay for the software-based encryption’s licensing and
controller fees.
Hardware-based Encryption
Hardware-based encryption is more secure than software-based encryption.
Encryption files are kept in a separate chip in the USB drive. When the USB drive
is plugged into a computer, the user is required to give the correct password
before it will connect to the system. If the drive is not connected to the computer
system, hackers cannot hack your files. This encryption type allows users to set
a password counter, which is the amount of time[s] to enter the correct password.
If the incorrect password is given too many times, the drive will shut itself off and
the data can never be retrieved
[6]
.
Bottlenecks do not occur during hardware-based encryption because there is real
time encryption processing. This makes hardware-based encryption faster than
software-based encryption.
Processor
Figure 4: Hardware-based Encryption
[5]
Instead of the computer’s CPU processing the encryption, the USB drive has
dedicated hardware to perform the encryption. Thus, your computer still performs
similarly to an unencrypted computer
[11]
.