Apricorn
Apricorn designs and manufactures FIPS-validated, 256-bit AES XTS hardware-encrypted USB drives, portable SSDs, and external hard drives under the Aegis brand, serving government, defense, healthcare, financial services, education, and energy/manufacturing customers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Apricorn does
Apricorn, Inc., founded in 1983 and headquartered in Poway, California, designs and manufactures FIPS-validated, hardware-based, 256-bit AES XTS encrypted external storage products marketed under the Aegis brand. The portfolio spans four product families: encrypted portable drives (Aegis NVX portable NVMe SSD, Aegis Fortress L3, Aegis Fortress, Aegis Padlock, Aegis Padlock SSD), encrypted desktop drives (Aegis Padlock DT and Aegis Padlock DT FIPS up to 32TB), encrypted flash keys (Aegis Secure Key 3.0, 3NX, 3NXC, 3Z), and accessories plus the patent-protected Aegis Configurator software for mass device deployment. All devices feature software-free operation, onboard keypad PIN authentication independent of the host computer, and cross-platform compatibility across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome, and embedded systems.
The underlying technology is the proprietary AegisWare firmware, backed by two U.S. patents (No. 9,720,700 for Aegis Configurator and No. 10,338,840 for Fixed Disk/Removable Media configuration), with hardware-level security features including Admin Forced Enrollment, selectable Brute-Force Defense (4-20 attempts before crypto-erase), and a Self-Destruct PIN. Apricorn holds ISO 9001:2015 (2024) and, as of February 2026, became the first and only manufacturer in its category to achieve AS9100 aerospace/defense certification, with select products validated to FIPS 140-2 Level 2/3 and the Aegis Secure Key 3.0 submitted for FIPS 140-3 Level 3 validation.
The company generates revenue through direct-to-consumer hardware sales via its own multi-currency e-commerce storefront and through regional sales operations covering North America (USA, Canada), EMEA (UK), Latin America, and Asia/Australia/NZ, alongside OEM product development for leading computer manufacturers. Target customer segments are regulated verticals: U.S. federal/state/local government and defense, healthcare, financial services, education, and energy/manufacturing, where data-at-rest protection, FIPS validation, and audit-ready provisioning matter. The company employs 11-50 staff and in April 2026 appointed Jeanclaude Toma as CEO to strengthen execution in regulated markets.
Apricorn firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Apricorn
- Legal name
- Apricorn Inc.
- Website
- https://apricorn.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Apricorn designs and manufactures FIPS-validated, 256-bit AES XTS hardware-encrypted USB drives, portable SSDs, and external hard drives under the Aegis brand, serving government, defense, healthcare, financial services, education, and energy/manufacturing customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Apricorn industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Encrypted Storage Devices
- NAICS
- Computer Storage Device Manufacturing (334112)
- SIC
- Computer Storage Devices (3572)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Secure/Encrypted & Rugged Portable Storage (HDACAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- USB Flash Drives (HDACAIAC)
Keywords
Where Apricorn is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Apricorn business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Encrypted Storage Products: Apricorn generates revenue through the sale of hardware-encrypted USB drives, external hard drives, and portable SSDs. Products are sold directly through the company website and through regional distribution channels. The company offers a range of products from budget flash keys to high-capacity desktop drives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aegis NVX - NVMe encrypted portable SSD with transfer speeds up to 1000MB/s |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aegis Padlock DT FIPS - 32TB encrypted external hard drive |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aegis Secure Key 3NXC - USB 3.2 encrypted flash key with C-type connector |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aegis Configurator - Windows-based device configuration software with hardware |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Apricorn product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Apricorn designs and manufactures hardware-encrypted USB flash drives, portable external hard drives, and NVMe/SSD portable drives under the Aegis product line, all featuring 256-bit AES XTS hardware encryption, onboard PIN authentication via AegisWare firmware, and FIPS validation. The portfolio also includes the Aegis Configurator software for mass device deployment and accessories such as USB adapters, docking stations, and protective sleeves. Products are sold to government, defense, healthcare, financial services, education, and energy/manufacturing customers via the apricorn.com e-commerce site and regional sales operations.
Product overview
Apricorn is a provider of FIPS-validated, hardware-based, 256-bit AES XTS encrypted external storage products. The company's Aegis line comprises portable encrypted SSDs (Aegis NVX), portable encrypted HDDs (Aegis Padlock, Aegis Fortress), encrypted flash keys (Aegis Secure Key 3.0, 3NX, 3NXC, 3Z), and desktop encrypted drives (Aegis Padlock DT, Aegis Padlock DT FIPS up to 32TB). All devices feature onboard keypad PIN authentication, software-free operation, and cross-platform compatibility. The product portfolio is complemented by the Aegis Configurator software for Windows-based device deployment and configuration management. The company also offers accessories including USB adapters, protective sleeves, and AC adapters.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Aegis: Aegis secure devices product line featuring hardware-encrypted USB drives, portable drives, desktop drives, and flash keys with onboard keypad authentication and 256-bit AES XTS encryption.
- AegisWare
- Aegis Configurator
Products and services
- Aegis NVX Ultra-rugged portable NVMe SSD with hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encryption and onboard keypad PIN authentication. Delivers transfer speeds up to 1000MB/s and is IP68 certified for dust and water resistance. Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities.
- Aegis Secure Key 3.0 Hardware-encrypted USB flash drive with 256-bit AES XTS encryption, onboard keypad authentication, and FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation. Software-free operation with cross-platform compatibility.
- Aegis Secure Key 3NX Hardware-encrypted USB flash key with 256-bit AES XTS encryption and onboard keypad authentication. Software-free setup and operation with cross-platform compatibility.
- Aegis Secure Key 3NXC First USB 3.2 encrypted flash key with USB Type-C connector. Features FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation, 256-bit AES XTS encryption, onboard keypad PIN authentication, and IP68 dust/water resistance. Available in 4GB to 512GB capacities.
- Aegis Secure Key 3Z Hardware-encrypted USB flash drive with 256-bit AES XTS encryption, onboard keypad authentication, and cross-platform compatibility in a compact form factor.
- Aegis Padlock Portable encrypted hard drive with hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encryption and onboard keypad authentication via USB 3.0 with cross-platform compatibility.
- Aegis Padlock SSD Portable encrypted solid-state drive with hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encryption, onboard keypad authentication, and USB 3.0 interface for fast data transfer.
- Aegis Padlock DT Desktop encrypted external hard drive with hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encryption and onboard keypad authentication for higher-capacity desktop use with USB 3.0 connectivity.
- Aegis Padlock DT FIPS FIPS-validated desktop encrypted external hard drive with hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encryption, onboard keypad authentication, and FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validation. Available up to 32TB across 13 capacity options.
- Aegis Fortress Enterprise-grade portable encrypted hard drive with hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encryption and advanced security features including Admin/User modes and programmable PIN lengths.
- Aegis Fortress L3 High-security portable encrypted drive with enhanced hardware-based 256-bit AES XTS encryption, onboard keypad authentication, and advanced programmable security features for government and enterprise use.
- Aegis Configurator Windows-based software application for configuring multiple Apricorn secure devices simultaneously, enabling device configuration profiles, customization of security settings, and preloading of data. Protected by US Patent No. 9,720,700.
- Aegis Configurator Central Database Version Enterprise edition of Aegis Configurator with central database functionality for managing device configurations across large deployments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Performance improvement of up to 31% with Aegis Secure Key 3.0, reaching 220 MB/s read speeds
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Apricorn
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Apricorn technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
Apricorn partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Apricorn competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kanguru Solutions: Kanguru offers hardware-encrypted flash drives, SSDs, and remote management (Kanguru Defender, KRMC), serving federal and healthcare customers with FIPS-validated SKUs that compete with Apricorn's Aegis Secure Key and Fortress lines.
- iStorage: iStorage manufactures hardware-encrypted USB flash drives, SSDs, and HDDs with PIN-authentication and FIPS-validated options (diskAshur, datAshur lines), competing head-to-head with Apricorn in regulated verticals on software-free encrypted portable storage.
- Integral Memory: Integral Memory produces encrypted SSD and USB products (Crypto SSD, Crypto USB) targeted at corporate and government buyers, competing in the same hardware-encrypted portable storage category as Apricorn's Aegis line.
- DataLocker: DataLocker builds encrypted USB drives, external drives, and central management platforms (Sentry, H1000, SafeConsole) — overlapping directly with Apricorn's hardware-encrypted Aegis portfolio and Aegis Configurator central management.
- IronKey (Kingston Technology): IronKey by Kingston supplies FIPS-validated hardware-encrypted USB drives (D300S, S1000) with onboard security, directly contesting Apricorn in government and enterprise encrypted flash key deals.
- SecureData: SecureData provides hardware-encrypted USB and external storage (SecureDrive, SecureUSB) with PIN authentication and remote management, overlapping the enterprise portion of Apricorn's Aegis product family.
Broad incumbents
- Seagate (external encrypted drives): Seagate offers high-capacity external drives with hardware encryption (Backup Plus, Expansion) and encrypted enterprise solutions, competing at the desktop/HDD end of the hardware-encrypted external storage market that Apricorn's Padlock DT line targets.
- Samsung (T7 Touch, T9): Samsung's portable SSDs include biometric/fingerprint-protected models (T7 Touch, T9) with AES 256-bit encryption, providing a broader incumbent alternative to Apricorn's hardware-encrypted portable SSDs at much larger retail and OEM scale.
- SanDisk (Western Digital): SanDisk/Western Digital produces flash drives and portable SSDs (Extreme series) with optional hardware encryption, serving as a broad incumbent in the broader external storage market where Apricorn's encrypted SKUs compete for premium storage dollars.
- Kingston Technology (non-IronKey portfolio): Beyond IronKey, Kingston's broader encrypted SSD/USB portfolio and IronKey enterprise offerings give it wider distribution and channel reach in the same hardware-encrypted portable storage category where Apricorn competes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Apricorn social profiles
Digital presenceApricorn compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Apricorn financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Apricorn leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Apricorn funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Apricorn M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Apricorn
What does Apricorn do?
Apricorn designs and manufactures hardware-encrypted USB flash drives, portable external hard drives, and NVMe/SSD portable drives under the Aegis product line, all featuring 256-bit AES XTS hardware encryption, onboard PIN authentication via AegisWare firmware, and FIPS validation. The portfolio also includes the Aegis Configurator software for mass device deployment and accessories such as USB adapters, docking stations, and protective sleeves. Products are sold to government, defense, healthcare, financial services, education, and energy/manufacturing customers via the apricorn.com e-commerce site and regional sales operations.
Is Apricorn a public or private company?
Apricorn is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Apricorn founded?
Apricorn was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Apricorn based?
Apricorn is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Apricorn make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware Encrypted Storage Products.
Who are Apricorn's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kanguru Solutions, iStorage, Integral Memory, DataLocker, IronKey (Kingston Technology) and SecureData. Broad incumbents are Seagate (external encrypted drives), Samsung (T7 Touch, T9), SanDisk (Western Digital) and Kingston Technology (non-IronKey portfolio).
Does Apricorn have an API?
No public API is recorded for Apricorn.
What industry is Apricorn in?
Apricorn's product category is Encrypted Storage Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACAIAI, Secure/Encrypted & Rugged Portable Storage, with a secondary code of HDACAIAC, USB Flash Drives. Its NAICS code is 334112 and its SIC code is 3572.