Is Your Data Safe on your USB Flash Drive?

PeterWallace

Just this week while I was away I found another USB Key on the ground. This one was a nice one, 8 gig with the cap still on it. Looks as someone had it in their pocket and went to take change out of there pocket to throw into a coin funnel. I picked it up and took it with me. Later that night I plugged it in to see if there was any information to find the owner. There was music, photos, Microsoft Money files, Excel and Word Documents on it. Started to dig in the Word files and spotted several Resume files all dated about the same time. Opened them thinking that they would be same person and they were all different names, looked some more and found a memo with a company name and phone number on it.

Turns out this key was lost by an employee from that company and did not even realize they had lost it. Dropped it in the mail back to them with a few quick notes on how to secure the USB key so if this happens again their data is safe. What are some ways to protect your data?

One: Never put sensitive data on a portable drive or USB Key that could get lost. (Real world knows that this will not happen)

Three: What about all the ones you have laying around? There is software that can be used to secure them. Some Free or open-source are:

– Portable TrueCrypt (Open Source) – (http://www.truecrypt.org/) – Encrypts an entire storage device and encryption is real-time just as if you were copying it to an unprotected drive.

– Cryptainer (freeware) (http://www.cypherix.co.uk/prods.htm) – Creates Vaults up to 25 MB to store any type of data. Just drag your data in and it’s encrypted.

– Folder Lock (Free Version but has a paid version also) – (http://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/) – a fast file encryption software that can password protect folders, encrypt or lock files, protect USB Drives and lock CDs/DVDs.

– AXCRYPC (Open Source) – (http://www.axantum.com/AxCrypt/) – is the leading open source file encryption software for Windows. It integrates seamlessly with Windows to compress, encrypt, decrypt, store, send and work with individual files.

There is NO REASON someone else should be able to read your data with your permission. Don’t wait till you have lost your data to act but do it now.

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Technology in Construction & Manufacturing: Why It’s More Than Just Device Management

January 20, 2026

Modern construction and manufacturing sites are no longer just about heavy machinery; they’re digital ecosystems. Tablets, laptops, IoT sensors, and mobile apps are now essential for everything from blueprint access to production monitoring. These tools enable real-time collaboration, safety compliance, and operational efficiency. But when your workforce is spread across remote job sites or large facilities, keeping these systems connected and secure becomes a challenge. Construction Blueprint & Plan Access: Crews use tablets to view updated plans on-site, reducing errors and rework. Safety & Compliance Reporting: Mobile apps allow instant incident reporting and safety checks. Equipment Tracking: IoT sensors monitor heavy machinery usage and maintenance needs. Manufacturing Production Line Monitoring: Tablets and IoT devices track throughput and detect anomalies. Quality Control: Mobile devices capture and share inspection data in real time. Inventory Management: Connected devices streamline material tracking and reduce downtime. These tools keep projects moving, but only if they’re secure, updated, and accessible anywhere. Why Remote Access Is Critical Construction sites and manufacturing plants often operate in remote or rugged environments. Workers need secure, reliable access to company systems, whether they’re in the field, on the shop floor, or traveling between sites. Without proper management, connectivity issues and security gaps can lead to delays, data breaches, and compliance failures. How a Managed IT Services Partner Helps You Win Partnering with a Managed IT Services provider lik e Eberly Systems ensures: Centralized Device Management: Configure, update, and secure all devices remotely using Microsoft Intune. Enterprise-Grade Security: Microsoft Defender protects against threats across IT and OT environments. Identity & Access Control: Microsoft Entra ID enables MFA and conditional access for subcontractors and BYOD scenarios. 24/7 Monitoring & Support: Proactive threat detection and performance monitoring keep operations running smoothly. Scalable Solutions: Whether you have 50 devices or 500, policies and updates roll out automatically. This means your teams can access critical tools and data securely anytime, anywhere, without worrying about downtime or cyber risks. Construction and manufacturing thrive on precision and speed. Technology makes that possible, but only when it’s managed effectively. A trusted Managed IT Services partner doesn’t just keep devices secure, it keeps your business moving, your workforce connected, and your data protected. Ready to empower your teams and safeguard your operations? Contact Eberly Systems today for a free consultation.