Data destruction is an indispensable task of every organization; without it, businesses risk expensive data breaches that could put their business at risk.
Identity theft and financial losses can easily occur when sensitive data falls into the wrong hands, leading to identity theft or financial loss. Effective cybersecurity practices and an efficient data destruction policy help address this risk.
Overwriting
Overwriting is a method of data destruction that replaces existing information with random characters, rendering it irretrievable. This process may be accomplished via software or mechanical means like drive shredders and disintegrators. Many data destruction companies specialize in both forms of destruction to offer businesses of all sizes and industries the perfect combination of security and convenience for them.
File recovery software and system restores are great backup strategies, but they won’t protect sensitive information that has already been overwritten. Therefore, businesses must utilize an effective data destruction method that permanently erases stored information without leaving traces behind.
Overwriting data destruction methods (or data erasure/wiping) is one of the most frequently employed techniques used to ensure that information cannot be recovered after it has been erased from digital storage media. While it is effective at this task, overwriting alone doesn’t always guarantee complete destruction.
Rothke notes another advantage of overwriting is its one-pass removal capability; providing all storage regions are addressed, this method should suffice in wiping data away completely. Overwriting can therefore be useful for smaller or medium-sized devices; however, high limit drives might require multiple passes before information in hard-to-reach spots is completely erased.
Finding an efficient data destruction service can be challenging for businesses that maintain large volumes of information. A reputable service should utilize advanced, secure techniques to protect against data breaches while adhering to regulations and compliance standards like National Security Agency guidelines. They must also provide proof of chain of custody.
Partner with a company that offers physical and electronic data destruction options that best match their needs, making compliance with regulatory standards easier. In addition, opt for on-site destruction services for the fastest and most convenient service possible.
Degaussing
Degaussers are devices that use an intense magnetic field to rearrange existing magnetic domains on data storage devices, rendering their information unusable – effectively destroying it.
Not all degaussers are created equal; for one to be effective it must have specific strengths tailored specifically for the media that is being erased.
Therefore, it’s advisable to hire a professional service that possesses both an appropriate degausser and experience with data destruction via this technique. When disposing of hard drives or magnetic tapes, these professionals can ensure your data has been permanently erased, keeping hackers out of business while remaining compliant with HIPAA, ITAD or any other regulations.
If you decide to undertake DIY data destruction of your data storage devices, be sure to use the proper device. Not only must it have enough power to wipe a hard drive cleanly and wipe multiple devices at the same time; some devices even feature coatings that require specific targeting strategies like reel-to-reel computer tapes.
Although it might be tempting to hit your old hard drives and magnetic tapes with a hammer, doing so may actually make salvaging easier. That’s because their pieces could become smaller but could still contain valuable data that needs recovering. Instead, take two-pronged approach consisting of degaussing and crushing as part of their recovery strategy.
Are you ready to begin ensuring that your company complies with all relevant laws and regulations? Contact us immediately – our GSA Schedule 70 and NAID AAA certified specialists have all of the expertise needed to safely destroy data storage devices for safe disposal while offering cost-effective, secure solutions that fit within your budget.
Physical Destruction
Destruction of data storage devices renders them unusable and ensures no information can be recovered from them, ensuring their secure disposal by shredding into tiny particles or crushing into powder form. This method is ideal for hard drives, memory cards and other electronic media – this is often chosen as the method by businesses to safeguard confidential information.
Physical destruction is an effective and cost-effective method for permanently destroying data that cannot be erased with software, but isn’t 100% reliable; some bits of information remain even after formatting and overwriting multiple times on devices. Therefore, multiple techniques should be employed when dealing with sensitive information.
At businesses, protecting sensitive information – be it client medical records or corporate files – is of utmost importance. Doing so ensures compliance with regulations such as HIPAA while also keeping sensitive data out of the hands of unintended third parties.
Businesses should follow proper protocols when disposing of obsolete data and when moving it between devices. Businesses must ensure their clients’ information remains safe by disposing of it safely.
Mishandling sensitive information could result in severe fines and legal implications for companies. For example, Britain’s National Health Service Trust was fined $500,000 for selling used electronic devices online that contained access to thousands of patients’ records.
There are various methods of data destruction available to organizations and the best option will depend on each organization’s individual requirements. When making this decision, some important considerations include time, cost and validation/certification needs. If your business must adhere to industry standards such as NIST 800-88 r1 or IEEE 2883-2022 for example, be sure that any vendor provides certificates as evidence of proper destruction. Potomac eCycle offers this certificate service and can assist clients in creating an appropriate program to ensure all their data is securely destroyed
Recycling
As well as protecting your company against data breaches and identity theft, having an effective data destruction policy also helps safeguard the environment by diverting e-waste away from landfills. As technology use increases, finding eco-friendly ways of disposing obsolete equipment becomes ever more critical; hardware recycling services offer sustainable options while still offering reliable data security to businesses.
Probrand conducted a recent poll revealing that 71% of businesses in the UK do not have an official procedure in place for disposing of electronic devices and their associated data, creating a potential security risk in an age when cybercriminals exploit outdated and obsolete technologies.
Organizations should implement a written policy outlining how they will safely dispose of old devices and data before upgrading or purchasing new equipment, including both physical and virtual methods of destruction. Physical methods could include overwriting, degaussing or physically dismantling electronic devices; virtual methods include overwriting software keys remotely over the internet – these techniques may work on hard drives as well as tapes, CDs or cloud storage services.
Overwriting is an easy and effective way of erasing data by replacing it with random information, rendering any attempts at recovering old information unreadable due to randomness of its writing over. Degaussing is another intensive data destruction method which uses special machinery to neutralize magnetic charges on devices and render them unusable – although this requires special hardware, it can only be performed on limited number of devices at one time.
When selecting a data destruction service, it is imperative that they offer detailed documentation of their process and a certificate of destruction – this will prove valuable in case of regulatory compliance audits or lawsuits. Inquire also as to their validation and certification processes as well as whether there is a chain of custody available for paper documents and hard drives being destroyed.
