Top gadgets and accessories for hardware and data security

To start securing your data and physical items, consider investing in an encrypted NFC hard drive or two.

Encrypted drives, such as Buffalo's MiniStation Extreme NFC encrypted storage HD, use NFC technology to prevent unauthorized access to any information stored on the device. Users are able to unlock and access their information through an external smart card -- removing the need for a password which could be broken.

An additional element of this storage device is the military-grade shock, water and dust protection -- shielding your data from being corrupted or lost in the case of being dropped.

You can pick up a 1TB model for $129,99, and a 2TB drive for $199.99.

Buffalo

If you need something secure but smaller, iStorage's datAshur Pro USB 3.0 secure flash drive could be an option. The flash drive, aimed at business and government users, includes FIPS 140-2 Level 3, CESG CPA Foundation Grade and NLNCSA Level 2 accreditation, as well as 256-bit hardware encryption, a read-only protect mode and brute force hack detection tools -- which helps to keep data secure in the event of loss or theft.

The datAshur Pro range is available from £69 ($107) to £129 ($200) in 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models.

iStorage

Available for laptops and smaller mobile devices, 3M's privacy filters are a sure-fire way to stop people snooping on what you're up to when you are using your devices.

The transparent, anti-glare screen is placed across the display, which does not reduce your visibility but prevents viewing for anyone else at an angle.

You can search for the right size based on dimensions and brand. Pricing varies.

3M

For a simpler way to protect your devices and data, consider investing in a simple laptop lock.

Available for $9.90, Ruban's laptop lock and cable system, complete with a four-digit lock, can quickly attach your PC to a table while you leave for a moment. Unfortunately, being away from a desk for a few minutes to get a drink or go to the bathroom can mean you come back to an empty surface, but this simple lock can prevent such heartache.

Amazon

A worry for consumers is the loss or theft of their credit cards. The $179 Wocket smart wallet aims to securely store these cards, as well as allow one-time uses of various credit cards via one physical card provided by the company -- allowing you to replace all of your cards with just one.

In order to use the physical card, you swipe the stripes of your credit or loyalty cards, verify your identity through a PIN code and biometrics, and then Wocket uses a wireless connection to pair with a payment provider (Chip & PIN is not supported). You can store up to 10,000 cards, as well as other data including passwords.

Wocket

This is an easy-to-setup way to protect your device and costs nothing extra -- but sadly is often ignored.

Taking the time to set up a digital PIN code password or pattern on mobile devices you already own -- or take advantage of biometric fingerprint readers -- as this can stop your personal data ending up in the wrong hands, even in cases of loss or theft.

Yubico's YubiKey Neo and Neo-n range of items are keys which can secure applications on the fly.

The keys, small enough to fit on your keychain, plug into devices to help secure apps and services including remote access, VPNs, password managers, online logins -- such as Gmail -- as well as open-source and enterprise solutions.

YubiKey supports USB and contactless protocols, one-time passwords, OpenPGP and PIB. The key can also be configured for use with the Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) protocol.

You can pick up YubiKey NEO or NEO-ns' for $50 a pop.

Yubico

Combining fashion with the post-Snowden surge in privacy accessories, Silent Pocket's v2 range are sleek leather wallets, briefcases and bags which contain a flat magnetic seal to prevent RFID, cellular, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC and Bluetooth signals from getting through.

Why bother? By preventing these signals from reaching your cards, you can help prevent identity and credit card theft as well as device tracking and stay fully off the grid.

The v2 range can be preordered with a price range from $16.95 to $675.

Silent Pocket