Secure data erasure

Before internet technology, companies stored their data in serialised files in registries or archives. These techniques were time-consuming, requiring a skilled workforce and storage space.Most organisations have since abandoned manual records in favour of soft documents that are easy to store and retrieve. Besides, storage devices can store data again after formatting.

While formatting and emptying recycle bins from your electronic devices might delete your data, such information can be easily retrieved. Imagine what would happen if your customer data lands in the hands of a competitor, definitely not a good scenario. You risk losing your money, reputation, customers, and risk facing legal action.

What is Secure Data Erasure?

A secure data erasure ensures that all the data erased from your devices remains unreadable. To ensure the safety of your data and privacy, consider performing secure data erasure.

Methods of SecureData Erasure

The methods listed below are several ways of erasing data safely from electronic devices.

Shredders: A shredder cuts up your storage media such as SSDs and hard drives into tiny bits, destroying them permanently.

Degaussers: Degaussers work by using an extra powerful magnetic field to destroy tapes and hard drives, rendering them unusable.

Software: Data erasure softwares come in handy for large organisations as they destroy data from all IT media, including servers, by overwriting the existing data.

Situations That Require Data Erasure

Organisations and individuals deal with vast amounts of data that need to be reduced to a manageable amount or completely erased for several reasons:

Selling off: Before selling or giving away your IT equipment, delete all data permanently to protect private information.

Disposal: This is when the devices are no longer in use, reaching the end of their cycle. Have all data erased permanently to safeguard your information.

Reassigning: As you transfer a computer from one employee to another, have all data deleted so that the next user starts on a clean slate.

Companies That Can Benefit from Secure Data Erasure

Data centers: Storage devices that have exhausted their lifespan should have their data erased before disposal.

Businesses: Face regular audits that require compliance with data disposal regulations and achieve this using certified data erasure software.

Phone processors: Phone processes like diagnostics for repair and reselling require a lot of formatting. Secure data erasure will protect private information.

Large institutions: Institutions like hospitals and universities that store substantial data volumes have to erase data to create space for more storage regularly. Safe erasure protects the personal information of students and patients.

Current Laws on Data Erasure

Data breaches in the past, such as the infamous Facebook Cambric Analytica data mining case of 2017, have necessitated enacting laws to protect clientele details.One significant law is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of 2018. According to this law, organisations must provide user safety and carry out erasure while following the GDPR guidelines. They need to maintain records and evidence of data destruction. Failure to comply attracts a fine of up to 4% of a company’s turnover.

Fortunately, several world-renowned data erasure companies adhere to legal regulations while performing the safest data erasure procedures. Clients are also given a certificate after each data erasing process as proof.

What Is the Role and Importance of Privacy?

Every business that wishes to win the trust of its clientele should prioritise client privacy to reap benefits such as:

1. Prevention of identity fraud: By protecting the private details of your clients, you ensure that they do not have to deal with theft identity criminals looking for every opportunity to strike.

2. Maintain customer loyalty: It is senseless to expect a customer whose information has leaked to the public to remain loyal to the business.

3. Gain a competitive edge: If an organisation can convince clients to have confidence in its data protection policies, they can win over the over-cautious clients.

4. Protect your firm from hefty fines: Every time customer information is breached, you risk losing large sums of money in penalties that can lead to financial problems.

Next time your company wishes to perform a data erasure, ensure the process is done correctly and meets laid-out guidelines to safeguard privacy. Your business stands to make immense gains from a trusting clientele.