The amount of data businesses create and store is growing at an alarming rate. And with new storage media comes new challenges in keeping our data safe and secure. Traditional methods of erasing data, like simply deleting files or formatting a drive, are no longer enough. Today, organisations need to be able to permanently erase data using specialised software that meets strict security standards.
The challenge has grown larger because non-conventional media are handling sensitive data. For example, your online activity involves website cookies accessing your sensitive data, including passwords, personal information, banking data, etc.
There are also more devices handling your data. For example, an IoT device will likely ask for your email so it can link to its server for auto-updates. This data is largely overlooked when cleaning up. However, it can be easily accessed by someone who knows where to look. The best counter for this is partnering with a data destruction service with resources to overcome this challenge.
Organisations must permanently erase data using specialised software to meet the strict data security standards.
Data Erasure of SSDs
Most portable gadgets today come with solid state drives (SSDs). This storage media works by keeping the data in blocks and allocating a new block for writing over the old data. Unlike hard disks that store data on platters, SSDs store data on chips and integrated circuits, making them markedly faster.
With an SSD, file deletion or formatting of the drive will only remove files from the directory but not from the device. So if you have an SSD, do not just reformat it. You will need data erasing software that can perform deep erasing techniques like overwriting. To securely delete your data on SSDs, you'll need to overwrite them several times using appropriate data erasing software.
Data erasing software will overwrite the drive's memory cells with either zeros or random data, rendering it inaccessible. To do this properly requires special algorithms specifically for solid state drives.
IOT Presents Unique Data Security Issues
More and more devices are coming online, including fridges, TVs, security cameras, printers, etc. They offer the convenience of remote access with an internet connection from any location. However, this also puts your personal data at risk. Imagine a hacker remotely accessing your printer and stealing your credit card information.
As IOTs increase in number and availability, we need to be careful about how data is stored so it doesn't get leaked or stolen.
As these devices increase in number and availability, we need to be careful about how they store our data, so it doesn't get leaked or stolen. Unfortunately, many people don't consider IoT devices when considering their data storage needs. As companies continue to push for more products and services, consumers should be aware of the implications of storing sensitive information on such 'smart' devices without adequate safeguards.
Data erasure on IoT devices would also challenge the average user because they have limited control over what's stored on them. For example, if a printer comes pre-installed, it might be impossible to remove the app and erase all the information unless you completely reformat the device. The danger lies not only in hacking into one of these devices but in hackers being able to use them as gateways into other networks, which can lead to much greater damage than just information theft.
Businesses must evaluate which IoT devices carry sensitive data and plan for data erasure with specialised software. A professional data erasure service can handle this task without formatting or bricking the device.
Data Erasure and Today's Technology Updates
Since almost every internet-connected device needs constant updates to keep improving its functionality, auto-updates come configured as default. If your operations rely on web-based apps and websites, you will have to contend with cookies from every website you visit.
Businesses must evaluate which IoT devices carry sensitive data and plan for data erasure with specialised software.
One big privacy concern has been the trackers embedded in these cookies for marketing purposes. Cybercriminals also rely heavily on these trackers and auto-loaders to deliver their malware. These cookies also harvest a lot of users' online activity, including sensitive data such as passwords.
Most browsers and web apps aren't very friendly to the average user in enabling cookie and tracker clearing. However, data erasure can be configured to scan for and clear cookies and trackers effectively.
While it eases users' fears about data privacy, it becomes problematic for marketers, who rely heavily on these cookies. As Google plans to phase out third-party cookies, PPC and SEO pros alike are scrambling to strategise for a cookieless future. In fact, 46% say cookie depreciation is their top challenge in media for 2021.
As ad targeting and behavioural analysis become more difficult, the value and importance of first-party data is clear. As a marketer, plan now for how you will handle consumer questions and concerns around privacy, data storage, and disposal. You should also determine what value you're able to offer consumers in exchange for their data. You can then evaluate the impact this trend will have on your measurement and analytics processes.
This way, you can kill two birds with one stone; ease privacy fears while having a good picture of your target audience's needs and wants.
How to Permanently and Securely Erase Your Data
Data erasure is the process of destroying or rendering data unreadable. This can be done through physical means such as incineration, shredding or degaussing, or through logical means such as data wiping.
1. Incineration- Incinerating hard drives is an expensive way to destroy sensitive data with high heat such that they melt and deform. It usually takes around ten minutes to incinerate a standard hard drive fully; however, there is no guarantee that the hardware will be rendered unusable.
2. Shredding - Shredding is the process of irreversible file destruction that renders its contents unrecoverable. This method involves shredding the equipment into small pieces or disintegrating them into minuscule particles.
3. Degaussing - Degaussers are used to erase data on computer hard drives by creating strong magnetic fields that wipe the information in magnetic storage devices (i.e., floppy disks and hard disks).
4. Data wiping - Data wiping involves one or more software programs that overwrite data stored on a drive. It does not destroy the physical integrity of the media like shredding or degaussing. It makes it difficult for anyone to recover any residual data using sophisticated techniques like electron microscopy.
Businesses should partner with a specialised data destruction service that has the resources to handle the secure data erasure of their sensitive data.
Conclusion
Data erasure today has become more complicated because of the variance of digital storage media. Your sensitive data is no longer only on computer hard drives but also on cameras, printers, and even fridges at home. Businesses have to think outside the box to handle the crucial data erasure task because of their and their customers' data privacy requirements. As an average user handling this higher level of data erasure might be a bit challenging. Your best option? Partner with a specialised data destruction service that has the resources to handle it, including secure data erasure to reach all hidden data.
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Our secure IT asset disposal services provides the dependable solution you need for your e-waste and end-of-life asset needs. Our team applies safe and sustainable steps that are regulatory-compliant at every stage of the process.
From the point of collection, auditing, shredding and/or wiping to remarketing and/or donating your IT assets, you can be sure with our end-to-end services that we take your security seriously.
We have coverage against the loss of or damage to your goods during transportation. This includes marine cargo shipment from the ports to the warehouses
Our professional team of asset removers ensure your devices are packed safely into our vehicles which are also equipped with GPS-tracking systems. We have armed our warehouses with fingerprint-only access complete with security alarms and 24/7 CCTVs in place
Our reach spans across the globe through our networks of partners and vendors. Wherever your business is based, you can leverage our worldwide network and we would be happy to assist you throughout your ITAD journey
SPW is Asia's go-to solutions provider for data destruction, data erasure, IT asset remarketing, and environmentally-responsible IT asset disposals. Contact us and learn how you can incorporate an ITAD strategy into your business today.
