Deleted data may be more accessible than you think. Unfortunately, simply dragging a file into the trash folder is not enough to completely erase it from a device, and it would be relatively easy for someone to recover it, which could put your business at risk of a data breach. With the recent implementation of the GDPR, it is more important than ever for your business to avoid falling victim to a data breach, and one of the key reasons for a breach is ineffective and insufficiently secure data erasure methods.
Here are three ways that you can protect your data during the erasure process:
Delete and Overwrite Your Data
Though simply deleting your data is not enough to ensure it is unrecoverable, previous assumptions that it was necessary to overwrite a system multiple times to prevent attacks have been proven wrong. In fact, to protect your data against keyboard attacks from both commercial and bespoke software, one pass of deletion and overwriting will suffice in most cases, though you may use it alongside other data erasure (such as physical destruction) for highly sensitive data storage systems. How you overwrite data will depend on the device in question, and the overwriting process is not necessarily suitable for all devices.
Erase Data in a Timely Manner
In order to ensure the security of your data, you should avoid leaving end of life data on systems for longer than necessary. Dealing with the erasure of data as and when it ceases to be useful means that all data is accounted for, and means you will only have relevant information on your systems. The sooner that your data is securely erased, the less time there is for it to fall into the wrong hands, which would put you at risk of a data breach.
Use a Reputable ITAD Provider
Unless you have a dedicated team of ITAD professionals within your own organisation, it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve the highest level of security during the data erasure process, whether you opt for data erasure or physical destruction of the data storage device. An experienced and accredited ITAD provider, such as EOL IT Services, will use some of the highest quality data erasure software, such as Blancco, to ensure 100% data information security for clients. What’s more, a fully qualified ITAD vendor will be able to provide you with the certification to prove that your data has been effectively erased, and devices dealt with appropriately and in line with all relevant regulations.
With over 25 years industry experience, tier1 are proud to be the UK’s most accredited ITAD supplier. We possess the skills, accreditations and experience to handle our clients’ data with the care they deserve, and to dispose of it responsibility and legally.
Contact us today on 0161 777 1000 or visit https://www.tier1.com to find out how we can help you dispose of your data safely and reliably.
