Different Methods of data destruction and which is best for your business  

09.01.2023

Introduction: 

Data destruction is the process of irreversibly destroying or wiping data from a storage device, such as a hard drive or a smartphone, in order to protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. This is especially important when disposing of old devices or transferring ownership of a device to someone else. There are several methods of data destruction, each with its own pros and cons. In this whitepaper, we will explore the different methods of data destruction and discuss which is best for your business. 

Methods of Data Destruction: 

1. Physical Destruction: Physical destruction involves physically damaging the storage device beyond repair, making it impossible to retrieve any data. This can be achieved through methods such as shredding, drilling, crushing, or melting. Physical destruction is a reliable method of data destruction as it ensures that the data is irrecoverable. However, it can be costly and time-consuming, especially if you have many devices to destroy. It is also the least sustainable option as the device cannot be reused.  

2. Degaussing: Degaussing is a process that uses a strong magnetic field to erase the data on a storage device. It is effective for destroying data on magnetic media, such as hard drives and tapes, but it is not effective for solid-state drives (SSDs) or other types of non-magnetic storage. Degaussing is a fast and cost-effective method of data destruction, but it requires specialised equipment and trained personnel to operate it. 

3. Erasure: Erasure involves writing new data over the old data on a storage device, effectively erasing the old data. This can be done using software tools that write a series of zeros or random data over the entire storage device. Overwriting is a simple and cost-effective method of data destruction and provides the most tangible reports to evidence destruction.  

4. Crypto-shredding: Crypto-shredding is a method of data destruction that involves encrypting the data on a storage device using a strong encryption algorithm, and then deleting the encryption key. This makes it impossible to decrypt the data and retrieve it. Crypto-shredding is an effective method of data destruction, but it requires a secure process for storing and deleting the encryption key to ensure that the data remains secure. 

Which Method is Best for Your Business? 

The best method of data destruction for your business will depend on your specific needs and constraints. Some factors to consider when choosing a data destruction method include: 

• The type of storage media: Different methods of data destruction are effective for different types of storage media. For example, physical destruction is effective for all types of storage media, but degaussing is only effective for magnetic media. 
• The sensitivity of the data: If the data on the storage devices contains highly sensitive information, you may want to choose a more secure method of data destruction, such as physical destruction or crypto-shredding. 
• The cost: Data destruction methods can vary significantly in cost, from a few dollars for software-based methods to several hundred dollars for physical destruction. You will need to weigh the cost of the data destruction method against the value of the data and the potential risks of not adequately destroying the data. 
• The time and effort required: Some data destruction methods, such as physical destruction, can be time-consuming and require specialised equipment and trained personnel. If you have a large number of devices to destroy, you may want to choose a more efficient method, such as degaussing or overwriting. 
• The certificate: erasure provides the most comprehensive certificate as it is outputted from the software used to run the wipe highlighting which software has been used and what standard the devices has been wiped to. Physical destruction only offers manually developed reports which can be false.  

Conclusion: 

Data destruction is an important step in protecting sensitive information and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. There are several methods of data destruction available, each with its own pros and cons. To choose the best method for your business, consider the type of storage media, the sensitivity of the data, the cost, and the time and effort required. Whichever method you choose, it is important to follow best practices and ensure that the data is completely and irreversibly destroyed to minimise the risk of data leakage. 

Daniel – Director MITAD