Personal and business information is increasingly stored digitally in our homes and offices. While digital data offers more convenience and efficiency, it has also created new security concerns. Traditional data destruction involves shredding documents that are no longer needed, but you may be wondering how to protect digital data in the same way.
Data destruction services offer a solution to this challenge. Through the physical destruction of your hard drive, your data is safely disposed of and unrecoverable. Data destruction is a critical step in cybersecurity, preventing the risk of a data breach and fraud.
What is Data Destruction?
Data destruction permanently removes data from your device or hard drive to make it inaccessible. Several methods of destruction can protect your information. Each offers benefits and varying levels of security.
Overwriting
Overwriting is a process of electronic erasure that covers your data with a layer of 0s and 1s. This method does not damage the hard drive but hides the original data by replacing it with new information. Overwriting only works on fully functioning hard drives. If any sectors are damaged, they cannot be covered, leaving bits of information behind that can be recovered and used maliciously.
Degaussing
Degaussing uses a magnetic field to scramble the data on your hard drive and make it unreadable. When done properly, degaussing is very effective. However, degaussing machines vary in power. If the machine does not match the hard drive power, some data may be left behind. Additionally, degaussing takes more time and is more expensive than other methods.
Shredding
Hard drive destruction shreds your hard drives into tiny, unusable pieces. An industrial shredder uses 40,000 pounds of force to crush and break down your data. It is the most secure data erasure method and often the least expensive. Mobile shredding can be completed at a local facility or your location. Shredded hard drives are recycled for a bonus.
The Importance of Data Destruction
Data destruction is a necessity for protecting your personal and business information. Identity theft and fraud continue to rise, as should your security precautions. Physical destruction of your hard drives prevents data recovery and keeps your information safe. In addition to privacy protection, here are some other benefits to demonstrate the importance of data destruction:
Legal Compliance
Strict mandates require businesses to handle and dispose of consumer information safely. Certified data destruction services will provide a certificate of destruction to prove compliance. Safe destruction will not only secure your valuable data but also prevent fines and violations for non-compliance.
Monetary Savings
Storing only hard drives is not only risky, it can be costly. Data destruction services will free up your storage space for other profit-generating activities.
A single data breach can cost a company millions. Legal fines, loss of customers, and time spent dealing with the breach all contribute to monetary losses associated with a leak of information. Data destruction can save you from the headache and costs of a breach.
Environmental Protection
E-waste is a growing problem globally. When computers and other devices are thrown away they leach toxins into the air, ground, and water. Hard drive destruction safely disposes of electronics and recycles valuable metals to prevent mining new resources.
How to Find Quality Data Destruction Services
Quality, professional data destruction services are invaluable in protecting your privacy. To find the best services available, look for a company with recognized certifications, ethical practices, and audited processes. Your shredding provider should offer a documented chain of custody, verifiable documentation, and scalable services to meet your needs. Shred Nations partners with reliable shredding companies across the country.
Protect Your Information with Data Destruction Services from Shred Nations
Contact us to get started with data destruction services from Shred Nations. We will send you free quotes from multiple companies in your area to make sure you find the best fit. Give us a call at (800) 747-3365 or fill out the form to get started now.
