The Media Destruction Process

Every user must take a few steps to ensure appropriate media eradication. Yes, it might consume some of your time and resources, but the benefits are all worth it. This thorough procedure will assure you that you do not have to face privacy threats and data concerns in the long run. Here are the three steps that will guide you on determining which services will destroy your media.

Clearing

This first phase is the erasure of data that most users know. This is when the initial wiping of confidential information from media devices and equipment happens. Clearing serves as the foundation for secure data destruction. Also, it prevents any keystroke recovery attempts to avoid extra digital threats. But again, you must follow this up with more data destruction methods. Skillful hackers can retrieve those deleted files anytime, anywhere.

Purging

The clearing phase protects the media from potential keyboard attacks. Purging, on the other hand, is done to avoid unexpected laboratory attacks. Since there are unfortunate instances when data are still stolen after the first level of sanitization, this step is required to counter specially trained personnel with nonstandard resources and knowledge to recover erased media contents.

Destroying

This ultimate step implies that all media must undertake physical destruction. All users with all sizes of sensitive files must eradicate storage devices with force. It does not matter if it already went thru sanitization or degaussing. All wiped out media still needs to be physically destroyed. Experts that offer media destruction services can help you select the right kind of physical destruction per media.

Most Common Storage Device Types

Storage devices and equipment are valuable possessions of every individual or company. These technologies keep essential records and confidential files. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of tools where you can conveniently store digital data. There are portable and easy-access ones. Some are heavy-duty equipment that stores bulk files and a large amount of information. It all depends on what are the needs and desired storage capacity of the user. With all these options, determining what kind of data storage you own is essential to know what media destruction services will be best for you. Below are the most common kinds of storage devices.

Backup Tapes

The use of backup tapes is now seen as an out-dated method of storage among users. It is because backup tapes are the traditional storage devices long before the latest types become available. While younger users do not see the point of using such storage anymore, it is the exact opposite for big establishments like hospitals, universities, and governments. These massive organizations cannot completely give up this form of data storage because they are still the best pick for securing a large volume of information within an affordable price point. Backup tapes have withstood the ever-changing times and even manage to stay relevant until now. But their durability does not exempt them from being obsolete after a certain number of uses. So if you or your company own some that are not functional any longer, it is time to look for media destruction services near you.

Magnetic Hard Drives

The magnetic hard drive is one of the most used storage options up to date. One of the main reasons is that their storage capacities are impressive. Hard drives store a few gigabytes to several terabytes of data, making it an ideal choice for users with immense amounts of files. Moreover, almost all types of computers use a hard drive to hold information that they need to operate. With all of the stored data it contains, hard drives crash or fails. Whenever these mishaps happen, and hard drives become unfixable, you need to immediately look for effective media destruction services to dispose of them. These services will help your existing files in the hard drive to not be corrupted or stolen by unauthorized people.



Solid-State Storage

Across the world, solid-state storage is in-use for its exceptional portability and functionality. Flash drives, thumb drives, micro-SD cards, and solid-state drives fall in this storage category. They are rewritable and easy to access, making anyone fond of these storage devices. However, the compact sizes of these devices serve as its both strength and weakness. Many users often fail to adequately destroy this type of device upon disposal because they do not know how to; it is just so tiny. They do not know how they will break or tear it apart. Users end up erasing all their files digitally, but everyone must now know that it does not change the fact that the data is still accessible to anyone, including hackers. The best move to take is to search for media destruction services that particularly destroy this storage size.

Kinds of Media Destruction Services

The need for media destruction services is beyond what most users think it is. These services exist because they are lifesavers for all people that do not want to worry about future privacy risks and data issues. Everybody must be familiar with the different media destruction services, so crucial data can be entirely protected and destroyed at all costs. Remember that you can always opt for multiple uses if that is what it takes to guarantee secure data destruction. After all, the earlier mentioned procedure indicates that it is indeed necessary to jump from one method to another to succeed in media destruction.

Software Overwrite/Data Erasure

In this method, service providers use software tools and data destruction programs to overwrite all contents located in any storage device, whether it is a magnetic hard drive or SSD. The technique prevents most hardware-based recovery methods, and standard operating systems command that many hackers use to retrieve deleted files. However, there is an ongoing debate about its effectiveness. Since even after running the wiping programs several times, the finest of IT hackers can still apparently retrieve overwritten files. Therefore, many ITAD companies suggest that you only do this service as initial preparation for any physical or degaussing data destruction.

Physical Destruction

Data destruction experts have various data destruction machines to perform physical destruction on storage media. From tape destruction machines to hard drive shredders, these machines use powerful external forces to pulverize and tear storage media. All of these machines have their unique features to match a specific storage device perfectly. For instance, crushers or destroyers are more commendable for lightweight devices like CDs and DVDs, while shredders are often used to grind bigger and thicker devices like hard drives, cellphones, and laptops.

Degaussing

Among all of the media destruction services listed here, degaussing is the top recommendation for anyone who wants absolute data destruction. Experts use data destruction machines called degaussers that render any stored file retrievable and untraceable. Degaussers feature a strong magnetic field that decreases and eliminates a storage device's magnetic property, causing data destruction. This service is highly advisable for users that want to get rid of magnetic data storage like magnetic hard drives.

Abtron and Its Best Destruction Services

With almost three decades of professional experience and in-depth knowledge in the ITAD industry, you can be confident that Abtron will only give you the top-notch media destruction services possible. They have been helping and satisfying thousands of clients who wish to destroy their obsolete storage media for more than 25 years. So you can quickly put your trust in this team of experts because they will properly assess and dispose of each bit of your data with the approved regulatory standards of renowned governing bodies nationwide.

Furthermore, Abtron only uses the highest quality of data destruction machines to eradicate your data since they are well-aware that your privacy matters. They destroy data on both media and electronic devices. Thus, they can effortlessly assist you with any data storage types that you have at hand. Call Abtron today for more details!