• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Metals
    • Precious Metals
    • Copper Alloys
      • Bronze & Brass
      • Master Alloys
  • ITAD
    • What is ITAD?
    • IT Inventory Services
    • ITAD Programs
      • Data Center Services
      • On-Site ITAD Services
      • Box Program
      • ITAD Processing Facilities
    • IT Asset Recycling
    • IT Asset Remarketing
    • Secure Data Destruction
      • Secure Data Wiping
      • Shredding and Crushing
      • Degaussing
      • FIREMELT™
    • Reporting
  • Secure Destruction
  • About
    • Why work with Sipi?
    • Certifications
    • Leadership
    • Coverage Map
    • Our Markets
    • Careers
    • ITAD White Papers and Case Studies
    • News
    • Events
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Locations

Sipi

blog

Home / Blog / Why Does Having a Portfolio of Secure Destruction Matter?

Why Does Having a Portfolio of Secure Destruction Matter?

When your IT equipment reaches end of life or retirement, what’s the next step in electronic data destruction? How do you protect your customer data or your own data so it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands?

Sipi Asset Recovery is the only ITAD company with the complete portfolio of all four methods of secure data destruction. John McLeod, VP of Sales & Marketing and Eric Dorn, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Sipi Asset Recovery explain the importance of having a trusted partner portfolio of secure destruction.

Method 1: Secure Data Wiping

Q: What is secure data wiping?Hard Drives in pile Depositphotos_2596881_xl-2015
A: At its most basic level, secure data wiping is using software to overwrite the existing data with 0s and 1s. Drives can be overwritten one or many times and are often completed with a random pattern and a verification pass.

Q: Which asset disposition issue does this address?
A: Secure data wiping addresses three main issues: 1) it retains the most value when compared to the other three methods of destruction, 2) it doesn’t require complex technology or implementation and 3) it doesn’t contribute to any environmental concerns associated with other methods.

Q: What are the missing elements or concerns with this method?
A: The potential risks of this method would be to ensure the process is done properly and effectively. Although, not all drives will complete the wiping process successfully. Wipe failures must have a subsequent destruction method used to assure proper sanitization occurs. At least one additional method will be needed to complete a full wiping process. It is not possible to visually distinguish between a wiped and unwiped drive, so a robust tracking and inventory management system is recommended.

Q: When and why would an enterprise use Method 1?
A: Depending on the risk posture of the assets, secure data wiping may be a sufficient method. This method allows you to recover value from the asset as the other three methods do not.

Method 2: Drive Shredding and CrushingHD-Bent

Q: What does drive shredding and crushing entail?
A: Drive shredding and crushing is the physical destruction of a data-bearing asset via industrial sized shredders, manual/leverage crushers or automatic crushers.

Q: Which asset disposition issue does this address?
A: After properly crushing or shredding an asset, retrieving any data from the device is extremely difficult. Shredded/crushed drives are easily distinguished from non-destroyed drives.

Q: What are the missing elements or concerns with this method?
A: Unless either data wiping or degaussing has been competed prior to shred/crushing, data still resides on the shredded or crushed pieces of the asset. This method makes obtaining the data very difficult, but it can still be accessed if technology, resources and time are not limiting factors. Both shredding and crushing will produce particulate and dust, which will need to be addressed both during and after the destruction process. Any shredding or crushing solution will require a properly vetted downstream recycler.

Q: When and why would an enterprise use Method 2?
A: Depending on the risk profile, an extra level of security can be helpful to further protect secure data or if a data-bearing asset cannot be wiped or degaussed. When destroying larger density drives such as HAMRs and MAMRs, the process often requires excessive amounts of time. Therefore, crushing and shredding these assets can save both time and money.

Method 3: DegaussingDegaus 350x350 copy

Q: Can you explain the process of degaussing?
A: Degaussing uses a magnetic charge to scramble the zeroes and ones of a data-bearing asset which both scrambles the resident data and renders the device unusable.

Q: Which asset disposition issue does this address?
A: Degaussing is a cost-effective and rapid solution to use when destroying data-bearing assets. Although, hard drives that are degaussed cannot be re-used.

Q: What are the missing elements or concerns with this method?
A: Degaussing is ineffective and not a recorded method for certain data-bearing assets such as SSD and new technologies (HAMR and MAMR drives). In addition, you can’t physically tell if the data is completely wiped, supplemental methods of destruction may be necessary.

Q: When and why would an enterprise use Method 3?
A: The degaussing process is fast – you can degauss a drive in a matter of seconds. This method also eliminates many environmental impacts. Degaussing can be a fast sufficient data destruction method in many environments, especially those with a minimal amount of SSD or HAMR/MAMR devices.

Method 4: FIREMELT™Smelt 350x350 copy

Q: What is Sipi FIREMELT™?
A: The Sipi FIREMELT™ process liquefies data-bearing components into an unusable, molten form, which guarantees data to be unrecoverable. The molten liquid is then poured into ingots for use in subsequent metal recycling processes.

Q: Which asset disposition issue does this address?
A: Sipi FIREMELT™ is the only data destruction method which guarantees that all components of the storage device, including the data contained within it, are destroyed. In addition, this method stays ahead of any technology concern with sanitization of next-gen technology such as SSD, HAMR, MAMR, etc.

Q: What are the missing elements or concerns with this method?
A: Ultimate destruction using FIREMELT™ cannot be achieved onsite. So depending upon your risk profile and policy, transportation and security could pose a potential concern. However, Sipi’s ability to transport materials via a TAPA certified carrier network and processing in our TAPA certified facility can help mitigate this risk. Sipi recommends and needs assessment to determine if methods 1, 2 or 3 should be utilized prior to transport. With security and transparency as top objectives, we ensure that every step in the ITAD process is tracked and documented according to each client’s standards.

Q: When and why would an enterprise use Method 4?
A: When you need 100% certainty your data has been absolutely destroyed. When information is deemed to have a high-risk posture, FIREMELT™ is the most appropriate method.

Q: Why and when would business leaders benefit from all four methods of secure destruction?
A: Sipi offers a portfolio of choice that is flexible and adaptable. We recognize that certain companies may only require secure data wiping for a certain subset of assets. But if you desire to achieve ultimate destruction, Sipi is the only partner providing a robust portfolio of secure destruction services.

Q: Why does data security matter?
A: Brand reputation is everything. Given the potential risks that data security and data governance pose to a company, it is vital that businesses seek out a trusted partner that will equip them to face the security challenges of today and tomorrow. Sipi is ready to jointly develop the best program with you that meets your risk profile, corporate requirements and business strategies.

How can Sipi help you? We’re ready to listen

Footer

Sipi Metals Corp.
1720 N. Elston Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60642-1579
(800) 621-8013
(773) 276-0070
sales@sipi-metals.com
hr@sipi-metals.com for Recruiting, Legal
or Human Resource Questions

Sipi Asset Recovery
1300 W.N. Thorndale Avenue
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
(847) 750-9350
sales@sipiAR.com

    

© 2022 SIPI METALS CORP  /  PRIVACY POLICY

HOME

ABOUT

CERTIFICATIONS

RESOURCES

COMMUNITY

CAREERS

CONTACT US

PRECIOUS METALS

COPPER ALLOYS

IT ASSET DISPOSITION

SECURE DESTRUCTION

NEWS

ITAD BLOG

COMPANY HISTORY

Sipi Corp Logo

CONTACT US

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Sipi Asset Recovery values your trust - data security is in the heart of what we do. By clicking below, you are providing consent for Sipi to securely store your data so we can respond to your request. For more information on how we protect your data, see our Privacy Policy. We look forward to getting in touch!
Sipi Asset Recovery values your trust - data security is in the heart of what we do. By clicking below, you are providing consent for Sipi to securely store your data so we can respond to your request. For more information on how we protect your data, see our Privacy Policy. We look forward to getting in touch!
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Hidden
GDPR Agreement*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
GDPR Agreement*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Hidden
GDPR Agreement*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.