As computers and
other electronic
devices become
obsolete sooner
due to new
technology,
disposal of
sensitive
information is
of serious
concern. Just
one hard drive
or CD can
contain
thousands of
files, and when
a digital file
is “deleted,”
the information
actually remains
on the
computer’s hard
drive, CD or
diskette, as do
deleted e-mail
messages and
records of all
online activity.
These days it
can be recovered
with
sophisticated
tools.
How many ways
are there to
expose sensitive
personal data?
One company
misplaces a
backup tape;
another puts
customers'
Social Security
numbers onto
mailing labels
for anyone to
see. Others lose
laptops,
inadvertently
post private
information
online, or leave
documents
exposed to
prying eyes. The
possibilities
are endless, as
we're learning
with every new
revelation of a
data breach or
hack or
inexcusable
lapse in secure
business
practices. By
one estimate, 53
million people,
including
consumers,
employees,
students, and
patients, have
had data about
themselves
exposed over the
past 13 months.
Data security is
an ongoing
process, but by
being aware of
threats and
understanding
destruction
options, you
will be in a
much better
position to
protect your
business and
yourself.
So how does this
help you - well
For some
businesses, the
peace of mind
that comes from
knowing
sensitive
records will
never leave
their facilities
intact makes the
investment in
purchasing a
solution
worthwhile.
However, many
companies simply
cannot afford to
purchase new
equipment for
the relatively
few items they
need to destroy,
so Hiring or
Leasing
(short/long
term) maybe the
solution for
them.
These businesses
may choose to
outsource such
destruction.
Outsourcing can
be affordable
and safe when
done properly.
If you choose
this option, be
sure to do your
homework. Ask
what methods
will be used,
where your items
will be kept
prior to
destruction,
what happens to
destroyed waste,
and what proof
you will get
that items were
actually
destroyed. If
you do not like
the answer to
any of these
questions, look
for another
source.
The
chart
below
lists
some
obvious
and
not-so-obvious
items
that
could
cause
significant
problems
if
not
disposed
of
properly.
All
of
these
items
can
be
made
harmless
by
one
of
three
methods:
-
Shredding – Reducing to small strips via a paper shredder or similar device.
-
Degaussing – Using powerful magnets to permanently eliminate data from magnetic media.
-
Disintegration – “Mechanical Disintegration” that continually cuts items into smaller and smaller pieces until they are unrecognizable and unreconstructible.
|
ITEM |
THREAT |
METHOD OF DESTRUCTION |
|
Computer Hard Disk Drives |
Data Theft — Documents, Spreadsheets, Databases, etc. |
Disintegration or Degaussing |
|
Thumb Drives/Flash Drives/Memory Cards |
Data Theft — Documents, Spreadsheets, Databases, etc. |
Disintegration or Degaussing |
|
Cell Phones/Blackberries & other PDA's |
Data Theft — Contact Lists, Call Logs, Images, etc. |
Disintegration |
|
Optical Media — CDs/DVDs |
Data Theft |
Disintegration, Declassification |
|
Other Magnetic Media — Floppy Disks, Zip Disks, Computer Backup Tapes |
Data Theft |
Disintegration or Degaussing |
|
Expired Inventory, Off-Spec Products, Prototypes |
Corporate Liability, Brand Degradation, Industrial Espionage |
Disintegration |
|
Credit Cards/ID Badges |
I.D Theft — Data on Magnetic Strip |
Paper Shredding (Low Volume)
Disintegration (High Volume) |
|
Audio, Video & Micro Cassettes |
Meeting Records, Sales Aids/Training Materials |
Disintegration |
|
Laser Printers & FAX Machines |
Data Theft — Remnant Data on Drums & Internal Memory |
Disintegration |
|
