DIGISTOR Citadel K 2 TB Solid State Drive - M.2 2280 Internal - PCI Express NVMe (PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4) - TAA Compliant

The DIGISTOR Citadel K 2 TB NVMe SSD delivers enterprise-grade data protection without sacrificing performance. Built as a self-encrypting drive (SED) with FIPS certification, this M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 SSD blends rock-solid data at rest security with fast, modern storage reliability. It is designed for professionals who must safeguard sensitive information while maintaining high-speed access, whether in laptops, desktops, or compact workstations. Citadel K integrates hardware encryption, pre-boot authentication (PBA), and multifactor authentication in a single, cost-conscious solution, making data protection seamless for IT teams and end users alike. With its TAA compliance, it’s a trusted choice for government, regulated industries, and enterprise environments that demand compliant, secure storage.

• Advanced data protection with hardware encryption: The Citadel K uses FIPS-certified self-encrypting drive technology to safeguard data at rest. Encryption is performed by dedicated hardware, reducing performance impact while keeping information secure even if the device is lost or stolen.
• Multifactor and pre-boot authentication: This drive uniquely supports multifactor authentication and pre-boot authentication (PBA), ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access data before the operating system loads. It helps thwart credential capture and boot-time tampering for stronger defense-in-depth.
• Seamless integration for enterprise security: Conteared for easy deployment, Citadel K combines encryption, PBA, and MFA into a single, low-cost solution that fits into existing IT security frameworks, helping organizations meet compliance requirements with less overhead.
• High-performance NVMe storage: Leveraging PCI Express NVMe 3.0 x4, this 2 TB SSD delivers fast read and write capabilities to accelerate workloads, improve boot times, and support demanding applications while maintaining consistent throughput in mobile and desktop systems.
• TAA compliant and broadly compatible: The drive’s compliance with the Trade Agreements Act makes it suitable for government and regulated industries, while its standard M.2 2280 form factor ensures compatibility with a wide range of laptops and desktops that support NVMe drives.

Technical Details of DIGISTOR Citadel K 2 TB Solid State Drive

• Capacity: 2 TB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCI Express NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x4)
• Encryption: Hardware-based self-encrypting drive with FIPS validation; includes multifactor authentication and pre-boot authentication
• Security: Data-at-rest protection with hardware encryption; PBA to prevent boot-time access by unauthorized users
• Compliance: TAA compliant

how to install DIGISTOR Citadel K 2 TB Solid State Drive

Installing the DIGISTOR Citadel K 2 TB NVMe SSD is straightforward for systems that support M.2 NVMe drives. Follow these general steps to ensure a proper installation and optimal performance:

• Power down the computer and unplug from any power source. If you are working with a laptop, remove the battery if possible and discharge static electricity by touching a grounded metal surface.
• Open the chassis or access panel to locate the M.2 slot. Most systems have a labeled M.2 socket for PCIe NVMe drives. If the slot is already occupied, you may need to replace the existing drive or use a replacement module in an available slot.
• Carefully insert the Citadel K 2 TB SSD into the M.2 socket at a slight angle, then press it down and secure the screw to the standoff. Ensure the drive lies flat and is properly seated without excessive force.
• Reconnect power and boot into your operating system or enterprise management tool. The drive will be recognized as an NVMe device. Install any required driver or firmware updates as recommended by the system or DIGISTOR.
• Configure pre-boot authentication and multifactor authentication per your organization’s security policy. This typically involves enabling PBA, enrolling MFA factors, and applying the appropriate encryption policy. Verify that data-at-rest protection is active and test access with and without authentication to confirm protection is functioning as intended.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the capacity of this DIGISTOR Citadel K drive?
  A: The drive is 2 TB, providing ample space for large datasets, software environments, and sensitive files requiring strong protection.
• Q: What interface and form factor does it use?
  A: It uses the M.2 2280 form factor with PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4, delivering high-speed data transfer and broad compatibility with modern systems that support NVMe drives.
• Q: How does the encryption work?
  A: The Citadel K is a hardware-based self-encrypting drive (SED). It performs encryption and decryption in hardware, with pre-boot authentication and multifactor authentication to control access before the OS initializes, protecting data at rest even if the drive is removed from the host.
• Q: Is it compliant with government and regulated environments?
  A: Yes, the drive is TAA compliant, which makes it suitable for government, regulated industries, and procurement contexts that require compliance with the Trade Agreements Act.
• Q: How do I enable and manage authentication?
  A: Authentication is configured through the enterprise security framework, typically via a management tool or PBA setup. MFA factors are enrolled as part of the device provisioning, and the PBA prompts ensure only authorized personnel can unlock and access the drive at boot.
• Q: Can it be used with Windows, macOS, and Linux?
  A: As a standard NVMe SSD, it is broadly compatible with modern operating systems that support NVMe drives. Enterprise deployments often rely on encryption-aware provisioning across Windows, Linux, and macOS environments to maintain consistent security controls.
• Q: Does this drive improve system performance?
  A: Beyond robust security, the NVMe interface provides high throughput and low latency for data-intensive tasks, contributing to faster boot times, quicker file access, and smoother application performance when compared to traditional SATA SSDs.