Types of Data Erasure Methods – Which is the most secure one?

In this time of booming technology, along with a large number of benefits, there is a downside, i.e., lack of privacy. Data erasure is the process of destroying, permanently or temporarily, the contents of a computer system, disk drive, solid-state memory device, or other data storage device to ensure your security.

Your and your client’s safety must be your top priority so you must choose the right data erasure method before you send off your IT equipment and electronics for disposal and recycling.

What is data erasure?

Data erasure refers to the process of physically destroying a hard drive or other storage devices. There are three main methods of data destruction: hard drive degaussing, wiping, and shredding. Such methods are the most secure way of physically destroying data.

A detailed comparison: Wiping vs. Degaussing vs. Shredding

There are three widely used methods but not everyone can differentiate between them. Also, it is hard to understand which one will work best for you, so here is what you need to know about wiping vs. degaussing vs. shredding.

Wiping

Wiping is used to completely remove all traces of data from a hard drive or other storage media. This is not as secure as hard drive degaussing, but it does leave less room for error.

This data erasure method involves overwriting all available space on the hard drive with random patterns or zeroes and ones (0s and 1s). This procedure makes it impossible to trace back the data that was previously on the hard drive.

Data degaussing

Degaussing data destruction is a data erasure method of destroying magnetic data media, such as hard disks and floppy disks. It is the most secure method because it doesn’t leave any trace of the data in the media.

It involves applying an alternating magnetic field of high frequency to the magnetic media in order to remove any remaining traces of data stored on the medium. The high frequency field reduces the intensity of residual magnetism in the media, which makes it easier for subsequent hard drive erasures to complete without affecting data recovery techniques.

The purpose of hard drive degaussing is to destroy all the data stored on a magnetic surface so that it can no longer be retrieved by any means. This includes both permanent and temporary deletions using different methods. It involves destroying magnetic media using an electric current.

Shredding

Shredding involves cutting up hard drives into small pieces, and then burning them in an incinerator or shredding machine to destroy their magnetic properties. Because hard drive shredding turns the drives into smaller pieces, it is a secure method that has less risk than wiping or burning your disks.

This is the best choice if you have a large stockpile of drives and other devices that require data erasure as it works well on a large scale. It is great for commercial e-waste disposal services.

This method is generally performed on hard drives, floppy disks and tapes. However, they can be used on any type of mechanical storage media.

Other data erasure methods

Along with wiping, data degaussing and shredding, there are other data erasure methods as well. Here we have discussed a few of them to give you an idea of what will be the best for you.

Purging

This is a sensitive method of hard drive erasure that saves your information even from a laboratory attack. It permanently removes obsolete data from the storage devices. This data is saved as a copy on another device as an archive so it can be accessed later but not from the main device.

There are a number of purging tools and Microsoft products even support automatic data purge techniques so you can get help from that as well.

Delete/Reformat

The basic method of deleting your information from the hard drives is widely used as a data erasure method. However, deleting might remove the file but does not actually destroy the data and it can be retrieved.

The same goes with reformatting of a disc as it only replaces the existing information with a new one but the old data is not destroyed. This is not a very productive way of data destruction, thus, not recommended.

Overwriting data

This method calls for overwriting information patterns with random ones, which is then erased using ultraviolet light or some other method that destroys all traces of original information on a medium (such as an optical disc).

This type of hard drive erasure is typically carried out on magnetic tape, USB, SD card and diskettes before they are reused or discarded after being used once.

Physical destruction

Physical data destruction is exactly what it sounds like. The hard drives are destroyed by physical methods in a crusher or other heavy machinery.

If the data erasure method requires a drill, band, crusher or a hammer, this is included in the physical destruction method. The hard drives after data removal and deletion are sent to be destroyed completely so there is no way data is recovered.

This method is recommended if you have extremely sensitive data on the drives. The least chance of data recovery is from a physically destroyed hard drive so it’s the most effective method for sensitive information.

Best data erasure method for you

Having a thorough understanding of the different types of data erasure methods will help you make the best choice for your business.

All these methods are helpful and can be used alternatively based on your requirements. However, the most secure way of data destruction is data degaussing. So, we have added this table to guide you about the best data erasure method in certain conditions.

Here are the reasons why you should opt for each of the methods:

Factors to consider before choosing data destruction services

Before you choose which data destruction company works for you, you will have to look at a few factors and analyse if they are reliable or not. Then you will be able to select one such organisation that works perfectly for your circumstances.

· Cost

Your budget is important. If your budget allows it, you can easily hire a reliable yet highly secure company to get any data destruction and hard drive erasure services you are looking for.

· Certification

Does your secure data erasing company offer a certificate of data sanitisation? If not, it is not reliable enough to get services for your sensitive information. Always look for an organisation that offers you valid paperwork.

Such certificates contain information about things like serial numbers, types of equipment, and details of media destroyed to ensure that there are no physical data breaches.

· Documentation

A clear audit trail with all the required details about the device and information destroyed must be provided by a registered company so make sure to get this documentation when you get data erasure services.

· Insurance and security

Do your research to find out about the company you are trusting with your important information and check if they are insured. You should ask them for references and perform the background check.

A company that fills all the requirements and offers an efficient and reliable data destruction service is CITD. You can contact them and their team will collect your equipment from your location without any hassle.

Takeaway

To ensure cyber security, you can’t send away your redundant PCs for computer recycling and data disposal. First, you must make sure all the devices are clear and have no threat of any security breach.

For that, you will need effective data erasure services. You can use different data erasing methods ranging from deleting and reformatting to data degaussing and purging.

You can decide which data erasure method you should go for by reading the article above and check out the table to see if tit matches your condition.

Once you know the perfect method for you, the next step is easier as you just have to contact CITD and they will take care of the rest.