A system is described for managing storage and access of confidential data downloaded from a server (e.g., an enterprise data server) onto a mobile device. The confidential data may be received over a network directly or be embedded as part of an email or other application. Instead of storing the data item locally, the data item may be communicated to a peripheral device that is communicatively coupled to the mobile device via a peripheral interface. The data item is encrypted and stored on the peripheral device.