Professional Data Destruction: When and Why You Need It?

In the digital age, data is king. Where data can enable success, it can also be the reason for an enterprise’s downfall. Regardless of the industry, companies collect vast amounts of data and need to figure out what to do with it once they no longer need it. 

With stricter data privacy regulations and improving data breaches, it’s imperative for enterprises to get rid of the data they don’t need in a safe (and sustainable) manner.

Depending on the size of the enterprise and the amount of data, this kind of operation can be a big undertaking. Professional data destruction services are designed for this very purpose. 

This article delves into secure data destruction, particularly through third parties, such as PivIT’s EXTEND offering.

Understanding Data Destruction

Data destruction refers to the complete disposal of data that cannot be recovered or accessed. The process commonly covers the erasure of sensitive information, such as personal, financial, or legal information. However, it could be any type or form of data. 

Keep in mind that data destruction involves permanent deletion or destruction of data. It’s not the same as disposing of data simply by deleting or removing it from a hard drive. Deleting data from a device may not completely remove it from the device, which exposes it to malicious attacks. 

Data destruction can involve the permanent removal of data from hard drives, or it can also involve the permanent destruction of hard drives or any hardware with data. 

Why Secure Data Destruction Is Important

It’s best to look at the cost of data breaches to put the value of data in perspective. Here are some eye-opening numbers from IBM’s 2022 Cost of a Data Breach report: 

• The average cost of a data breach globally in 2022 was $4.35 million, up by 2.6% from 2021. 
• The cost of a data breach is the highest in the US, with an average cost of $9.44 million. 
• Stolen or compromised credentials were the most common cause behind data breaches. 
• Ransomware attacks grew by 41%, costing an average of $4.54 million.

(Data: source)

These numbers clearly show the danger and damaging cost of data falling into the wrong hands. 

There are many instances where you need to get rid of some data. But suppose that data isn’t destroyed securely and safely. In that case, it can very well end up with a malicious party who can use it to extort money or do irreparable damage to the company’s reputation. 

Not destroying unneeded data timely and securely may increase the risk of a data breach, resulting in millions worth of damages. 

Creating a Data Disposal Policy

Data disposal is inevitable for large organizations. Not all data remains useful and has to be destroyed. Keeping unneeded data isn’t just eating away at resources, it can also be considered non-compliance. 

For instance, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union (EU) requires companies only to retain personal data until it’s processed for the intended purpose. 

Creating a data disposal policy is imperative for enterprises needing to dispose of and destroy data regularly. Such a policy would create guidelines and processes for destroying data, including which data to destroy, when, and how. 

Ways to Destroy Data

There are various ways to destroy data for good. While some methods only destroy the data, others also destroy the equipment housing the data. The former is a better choice, as it leaves the storage device behind, which can be used again. 

Here are the different methods of data destruction:

• Clearing/Deletion: This method permanently removes the data from the drives, and the equipment remains usable. It’s suitable and manageable for small amounts of data. 
  
  
• Digital Shredding/Overwriting: This method involves overwriting the data with random binary or other characters that render the data useless. It also doesn’t involve the physical destruction of the drive. 
  
  
• Hard Drive Degaussing: This method uses a strong magnetic force to restructure the hard drive's structure. This process destroys the data and renders the hard drives useless. Also, it requires special equipment. 
  
  
• Deletion/Sanitize Commands: This method can be used with solid-state drives (SSD). Data can be wiped permanently using built-in sanitization commands, and the SSD is ready to be used again. 
  
  
• Physical Destruction: This method involves physically destroying the drives using special equipment, such as a hydraulic press. This process is costly because the drives also get destroyed. It’s suitable in an emergency where data must be destroyed immediately or if the drives are old. 

Hiring Professional Data Destruction Services 

Data destruction can be a lengthy and laborious practice. More importantly, many enterprises may not have the capabilities or resources to handle data destruction, especially on a large scale. This is where professional data destruction services can come in handy. 

If the drives are also to be destroyed with the data, the equation gets complicated. You want to ensure that the drives are disposed of sustainably; that is, they are recycled. That way, they don’t just end up in landfills. 

Professional services for data destruction have the capabilities and expertise to destroy confidential data safely. Data destruction services come under IT asset disposition (ITAD) services. 

Working with a reliable ITAD service for data destruction can be cost-effective, especially if you’re in a time crunch. Similarly, these services can be incredibly useful if your company needs to destroy data frequently. 

That said, it’s important to vet the service you’re considering to ensure you can trust them with your data. As there are several data destruction methods, hire one that follows the procedure best suited for your organization. 

Discuss the terms and conditions carefully and establish trust before handing over the drives. It’s advisable to have the disposal done on the premises to oversee the disposal process.

Consider EXTEND for Data Destruction

PivIT’s EXTEND program offers ITAD services, including secure data destruction services. From straightforward data erasure to physical destruction, all options are available. The professionals at PivIT take the utmost care with the data and ensure that every last bit is destroyed professionally and securely. 

Moreover, with EXTEND ITAD services for data destruction, you can also get certification for destruction for your record keeping. If you want to destroy the hardware with the data, PivIT can ensure that the e-waste is taken care of sustainably, so data destruction doesn’t impact your emissions bottom line.