Couldn’t the first key entered be the ‘user lock’ for the drive, unneeded until next time a complete reset is performed?

After a complete reset one would have to enter the first key ever used, otherwise it would be a brick.

Another method would be a peel-off sticker unrelated to the serial number which contains the key to use.

Some of the drives are more than a few hundred dollars and while some might steal it thinking it had value those in the know would understand that the only “value” would be to cause concern and deprive the user of the data (which could cost thousands of dollars).

It’s like leaving your vehicle unlocked so the thief doesn’t confront you in the parking lot and take your keys – instead all vehicles have locks (some encrypted) and most people lock their cars, car jackings are infrequent (plus there’s OnStar and LoJack, no suggestion that you add it).

Thanks for answering, all the same.

Thank you for jumping in Apricorn.

we actually talk about this now and then. and yeah that’s true. and it’s true for most other manufacturers who don’t have a device management console or a software component. we thought about it a lot and opted to stick with a non managed system to allow us to lock down the firmware and eliminate update opportunities because that’s a malware vulnerability occurs and also, it’s hackable. the real concern that we focus on is the security of your data on the drive. when the average data breach cost gets up over 3 million in damages and fines, we figure you’d rather be out a few hundred bucks in the loss of the drive itself and get another one.

Page 18 of the User Manual says:

Performing a Complete Reset
NOTE: A complete reset will erase encryption keys and PINs and leave the Aegis Fortress
in an unformatted condition.
There may be circumstances (forgotten PIN, redeployment, return to factory default
settings) when you need to completely reset the drive. The complete reset feature will
perform a crypto-erase on the drive, generate a new encryption key, delete all users, and
return all of the settings to factory default.
To perform a complete reset of the drive, perform the following:
1. Press and hold ? + ? + 2 together for several seconds. The RED and BLUE LEDs
will blink alternately.
2. Release all buttons when the GREEN and RED LEDs glow steadily which will
continue for several seconds, followed by the GREEN LED glowing steadily for
several seconds, and then will be followed finally by the GREEN and BLUE LEDs
glowing steadily, indicating that the reset is complete.
3. A new Admin PIN will need to be entered and the drive will need to be reformatted.

So you can steal it, erase it, reset it, and use it as if you had purchased it yourself (minus the Warranty).