To access the Rocsafe, you need to enter a PIN and insert a smartcard. Add the 256-bit AES encryption chip and you've got a system so tight even the CIA can't gain entry – let alone your humble reviewer.

Setup sounds routinely simple. After plugging in the two-port USB cable, I inserted one of the supplied smartcards in the front slot. Then, I entered the default PIN on the Rocsafe's touchscreen keypad. Or, at least I thought I did. Unlike hardware buttons which give tactile feedback, the touchscreen offers only a weak and easily missed, micro-second flash on the tapped key. And the default PIN is buried on page 16 of its 65-page PDF manual. Anyway, I got it right on the third try. The drive will permanently lock up after eight failed PIN entries, so the manual advises calling tech support after the fifth failed attempt. Good idea.

The Rocsafe MX sports only USB 2.0, which makes this drive somewhat of a slowpoke when compared to other drives outfitted with USB 3.0. Moving a 4GB file from a PC took over nine minutes. USB 3.0 typically delivers the same file in 50 to 70 seconds.

Most portable secure drives can be set to automatically lock after set periods of inactivity. The Rocsafe MX does not. After you've successfully mounted the hard drive, it stays active and accessible (even if you remove the smartcard), until it's physically detached from the USB port. So, although the three layers of security should allay even the most paranoid, this is severely undercut by the lack of an auto-lock feature that kicks in when the drive is left unattended.

WIRED Strong multilevel security. Rugged case can take a beating. Includes two smartcards – give the extra to your shady attorney for safe keeping.

TIRED Only USB 2.0 and FireWire ports. No auto-lock. Very expensive.