There are many concerns associated with the modern cybersecurity community. Robust firewalls, reliable cloud storage solutions, in-house IT support and antivirus bundles are all examples. Still, the role of data destruction should never be taken for granted.
Data Destruction: The Basic Intention
Most of us are already familiar with data destruction from a basic point of view. Common examples include rather traditional processes such as shredding or incinerating documents when they are no longer needed. However, it is just as important to remember that we live in a digital age. To put it another way, such legacy methods often prove to be outdated.
Data destruction now involves the complete annihilation of information, specifically, when contained within a digital storage device. The role of physical concerns should be examined as units such as hard drives, smartphones and outdated laptop computers need to be disposed of properly to avoid posing security risk.
Common Methods of Destroying Digital Data
One of the challenges associated with the cybersecurity industry is that digital data can leave a much larger footprint when compared to physical documents. In the past, shredding sensitive materials could very well have been all that was required to ensure that information did not fall into the wrong hands. That is hardly the case with digital data. This is also why more innovative techniques have been developed. There are 3 common ways to dispose of digital information:
- Overwriting a storage device
- Degaussing
- Physical destruction
As the term already suggests, overwriting data involves placing an additional layer of information (normally in the form of 0s and 1s) atop existing material. The main purpose is to ensure that the hard drive itself is not damaged while still covering up the information that it contains. However, it should be noted that this technique can sometimes be rendered ineffective by someone who possesses a significant amount of technical experience.
For example, data overwriting is not guaranteed to destroy data from inaccessible regions of the device such as host-protected areas. It is also important to remember that overwriting only works when the storage media are undamaged and, therefore, still writable.
Degaussing is another option. In this case, a strong electromagnet is passed over the storage device. These magnetic fields will essentially scramble all the information that is present, rendering it completely unreadable. The only possible concern here is that such a technique also damages the device itself. Degaussing is still one of the most common and cost-effective ways to ablate information.
Finally, it is always possible to physically destroy the device in question. This can be performed using chemicals or by shredding the unit. The only potential problem is that even a hard drive or device that has been physically destroyed may still contain an appreciable amount of data. Therefore, many organizations choose to outsource such solutions to qualified third parties.
The Undeniable Advantages of Data Destruction
So, how can an enterprise benefit from these methods? Accountability is the first advantage, as both employees and customers can remain confident that sensitive information will not fall into the wrong hands. Note that this is just as important whether referring to intentional theft or accidental oversight.
It is also important to keep in mind that organizations are now obligated to adhere to both the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) guidelines. These rules clearly outline how, when and why data should be destroyed. Enterprises that adopt effective methods will remain in full compliance.
Customers are also becoming extremely particular in terms of the organizations with which they choose to work. As risk of insufficient cybersecurity becomes more familiar (even to those with little technical experience), it only stands to reason that enterprises offering modern solutions will be preferred. To put it simply, adopting the correct approaches is good for business.
AS RISK OF INSUFFICIENT CYBERSECURITY BECOMES MORE FAMILIAR…, IT ONLY STANDS TO REASON THAT ENTERPRISES OFFERING MODERN SOLUTIONS WILL BE PREFERRED.Factors to Consider
The first factor to consider is the type of hardware that is being used to store data. Creating audits and logs is the best way to determine when a specific device should be destroyed. Time is another major issue, as organizations need to ensure that these processes will not impact their ongoing operations. Lastly, what is the reputation of the data destruction enterprise in question? Have previous customers left positive or negative opinions of their experiences? How long has it been in operation and does it comply with all relevant statutes? What types of client support solutions are offered? Thankfully, there are many organizations that have considerable experience within this dynamic field.
In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is a trending topic for organizations that are under constant threat from cybercriminals. However, it is essential for business owners to understand that data no longer in use are still a target of fraudsters. For this reason, an effective data destruction policy is essential to avoid costly data breaches.
Data destruction is the best way to ensure that data does not fall into the wrong hands, which could cause untold damage to an enterprise’s finances and reputation. This is particularly important when decommissioning equipment, especially if it is going to be resold or recycled.
Milica Vojnic
Is a communications specialist at Wisetek and regularly advises organizations in both the European and US markets on the importance of an effective data destruction policy.