Cigent Secure SSD™ Advanced FIPS M.2 2280 is a FIPS-validated TCG Opal 2.0 AES-256 self-encrypting drive with additional security capabilities embedded in the firmware. The SSD can be used just like any other M.2 2280 SSD as either an internal primary or additional storage device in a laptop, desktop, or server PC or external case. The FIPS certificate can be found at https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cryptographic-module-validation-program/certificate/4186. Many people purchase FIPS-validated storage but do not implement them as FIPS and are therefore out of compliance. To simplify implementation of FIPS, Cigent has developed pre-boot authentication (PBA) software and Windows Data Defense software - both of which easily configure and enable the SSD to meet all of the FIPS validated requirements. Note that both Cigent PBA and Data Defense software are not included with the drive, but need to be purchased separately. If you are planning to use the SSD as an external storage device, it is strongly recommended to use the Cigent External Case as it has been tested and known to work with all Cigent Secure SSD firmware capabilities. Cigent Secure SSDs can be used with pre-boot authentication (PBA) software to fully encrypt the storage device with any operating system, including Windows and Linux variations. In addition, when used with the Cigent PBA software, Cigent Data Defense Windows software can be used to create additional secure partitions aka vaults where data can securely be stored. The benefit of a Data Defense secure partition is that the sectors are unreadable at the sector level until the partition is mounted. The partition can furthermore only be accessed using Cigent Data Defense software and the user's 2FA or MFA of choice. The Secure SSD has firmware-based erasure verification that ensures every block of the drive has truly been wiped after an erasure attempt. The Secure SSD also captures comprehensive logs of all data access that can be viewed using Cigent Data Defense software. Finally, the firmware in the Secure SSD is tethered to Cigent Data Defense Windows software so that if the Data Defense software is ever disabled, the secure partitions will automatically be locked. For more information, visit Cigent.com.