Performing Secure Data Wiping, Files & Data Shredding

 

Performing Secure Data Wiping,

Files & Data Shredding

There are statistical evidences endorsed by the companies of destruction of documents and data which indicate that in countries like Mexico, Brazil, United States, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, UAE, and India; two out of three companies face data management problems and risks. Data must be managed appropriately throughout the entire data life cycle, from capture to destruction. Document and data destruction process forms an integral part of data management processes. At the end of the data life cycle, companies can save data for later use, or destroy the files. Secure file deletion is the process of deleting data that makes it unreadable or unrecoverable.

According to data and document destruction company experts , there are different types of secure Data Wiping methods. Companies need to categorize the data, which must be destroyed according to the type of device on which it is stored, the level of confidentiality, and future plans for the devices. With the help of secure file Wiping professionals, companies could decide on the appropriate method for secure data Wiping. 

After permanently deleting files, companies should use a review process to verify the effectiveness of each solution or service. The most common methods for secure file deletion are:

CLEANING METHOD

This method uses programs or devices to overwrite the storage space on disk / ssd / pc with non-sensitive data, so that existing data can be replaced by non-sensitive data. Using this method to safely erase hard disk allows overwriting of logical storage address and user storage address. However, you cannot safely erase hard drive / ssd / pc if it is corrupted or does not allow overwriting. For devices such as mobile phones that are not actually storage devices, the cleaning method means the ability to return the device to the factory state.

According to the experts of secure formatting solutions, some devices do not directly support the ability to overwrite or apply specific techniques to non-volatile storage content; thus they only allow you to remove the file flags. A secure formatting solution must ensure that the device interface does not facilitate the recovery of deleted data.

PURGE METHOD

This method of secure file deletion uses physical or logical methods that make data recovery unfeasible, even with the help of advanced laboratories. Block erase and crypto erase are an integral part of the purge method and are very effective for secure Data Wiping. According to a document and data destruction company, degaussing or degaussing is also considered part of the purging methods. With degaussing companies can safely erase hard drives. Professionals in file shredding services should consider the strength of the degausser and ensure that it matches the enforcement of the devices. However degaussing cannot be used for secure deletion of files from devices that do not contain magnetic storage.

DESTROY METHOD

·         Destroy method helps in safe file deletion and makes data recovery unfeasible and devices cannot be used again for data storage. According to experts from the document and data destruction company, there are different types of methods to destroy files and devices.

·         Disintegrate Pulverize, Melt, and Incinerate: These methods are designed to completely destroy devices such as hard drive, ssd, pc etc and erase data safely. These methods are carried out by the service provider of shredding files in an external installation in front of the customer. The provider of the file shredding service must be able to shred the devices effectively, safely and carefully.

·         Shred: Shredders are used to destroy flexible devices so that they cannot be rebuilt. According to the recommendations of data destruction companies the size of the strips should be small enough that the data cannot be reconstructed. To make data reconstruction even more difficult, the shredded material can be mixed with non-sensitive materials of the same type.

THE METHODS FOR THE REVIEW OF SECURE DATA DELETE

Reviewing the processes of secure Data Wiping services is an essential step in maintaining confidentiality. The review must be performed by personnel who are not part of the secure data Wiping services. In general there are two types of methods for reviewing secure data Wiping services.

·         Full Review: In this method the review is applied for each device. This method of reviewing secure data Wiping services is very detailed and time consuming.

·         Sampling Review: In this method the review is applied to a selected subset of the devices like hard drives, ssd, pc etc. This method of reviewing secure data Wiping services is not very detailed and takes less time.

REVIEW OF SECURE FORMATTING SOLUTIONS

In the experience of the document and data destruction company, the review of the processes of the secure Data Wiping services is not the only guarantee required by the companies. If a company is using secure formatting solutions, these devices should also be regularly checked and maintained. 

REVIEW OF THE COMPETENCIES OF SAFE DELETING OF DATA

Review of secure Data Wiping competencies is an important element, along with review of the process of secure data Wiping services. Companies should review the competencies and experience of the secure data Wiping service provider and ensure that their employees receive secure data Wiping training or courses during the implementation of secure data Wiping services.

REVIEW OF THE RESULTS OF SECURE DATA DELETE SERVICES

The goal of secure Data Wiping services is to ensure that secure data Wiping actually occurred. Usually companies do not have access to the data recovery lab to check that the hard drive could be safely erased. 

The credibility of secure formatting solutions and secure data destruction services can be easily checked via full reading of all accessible areas of the device to verify results.

During a full review, the disk must be read completely to verify that there is no data on the disk. This type of review will take a lot of time and effort, but this method ensures the effectiveness of the secure formatting solution and file shredder service.

According to experts from file shredding services, companies can choose the sampling review method for credibility review of secure formatting solutions and file shredding services. However, companies should keep the following points in mind while using the sampling review method:

·         There are many secure formatting solutions and file shredding services on the market that do not erase the device completely. Thus, to safely erase hard drive, professionals should check pseudo-random addresses on the drive, verifying the credibility of secure formatting solutions and file shredding services. Along with pseudo-random addresses on disk; the review method must also select subsections of the hard drive for verification. The best way to safely erase hard drive is to select at least two non-overlapping pseudo-random locations within each selected subsection. According to the experts of the secure document and data destruction company, each sample must cover at least 5% of the subsection and must not overlap the other sample in the subsection.

·         Another important point to keep in mind during the sampling review method is to select the first and last addresses on the storage device as some secure formatting solutions and file shredding services do not delete the data from the first and last addresses on the storage device. disk. So they cannot erase hard drive safely and completely.

·         For Data Wiping of encrypted data, the sample review process must work differently, since the content of the original data is unknown and comparison is not possible. When companies use encrypted Wiping, there are multiple options for verification, each using a quick review of a subset of the devices. Safely wipe hard disk consists of a selection of pseudo-random addresses in different subsections for sampling. However, the process consists of looking for files in known places and therefore the percentage of addressable area is relatively small, explains a secure data destruction company.

·         When reviewing secure formatting solutions and file shredding services, it is also recommended to select a subset of devices for review, using different review tools. According to the recommendations of document and data destruction companies, at least 25% of the cleaned devices should be considered during this review. This review method will help you to compare and validate the effectiveness of the solutions to erase hard drive, ssd, pc safely.

Businesses can easily decide which method is appropriate for which type of scenario with the help of a data destruction company or secure Data Wiping professionals.

 Also company staff should receive training on secure file deletion and how to verify credibility of different solutions and services. Secure data Wiping services, secure formatting solutions and courses should help identify and resolve the risks associated with managing your organization's data. The secure file deletion methodology must be very different from the traditional methodology of data destruction companies. The secure file deletion methodology must be based on a process of manual and automated procedures through proprietary scripts, proprietary, commercial and open source tools that identify all types of recoverable data.