DRIVE SHREDDING AND CRUSHING SERVICES: HOW IT WORKS
One of the most effective methods in preventing data breaches following IT asset disposition is to destroy the devices on which the data is stored. After properly crushing or shredding a hard drive, optical disk or other storage medium, retrieving any data from the device is virtually impossible.
Sipi Asset Recovery engages with businesses to determine the best method for secure data destruction, taking into account unique business needs. Choosing to crush or shred drives over other data destruction methods may offer several benefits, but each come with their own important considerations!
What are the key differences between crushing and shredding?
The objective of hard drive data destruction services and, in general, physical data destruction, is to render the storage device completely unusable or even unrecognizable. A crushing device can accomplish this by applying immense force to the drive, warping or puncturing the storage medium in a way that makes the data totally inaccessible.
Shredding a hard drive involves more thorough destruction of media, slicing the entire device into thousands of pieces. This completely destroys all data contained within the device. In each instance, the resulting materials may then be recycled or safely disposed of, depending on the material makeup of the destroyed device.
How does an organization choose between drive crushing or drive shredding?
Sipi Asset Recovery has the capability to perform both services, and our experienced team will design the right solution for your company’s needs — as well as help you choose which method is best. Crushing and shredding practices may be used alone or in tandem to provide the right mix of secure data destruction, secure drive disposal, materials disposal, and adherence to financial constraints.
Benefits of Crushing
- May be accomplished on-site with manual tools
- Drives are more easily recycled
- Fast and inexpensive for occasional, small-scale destruction
Benefits of Shredding
- Complete device destruction.
- More efficient in large-scale applications.
- Effective for all media formats.
As a company certified in electronic recycling standards by e-Stewards, we are confident that all environmental and economic cost requirements can be met while ensuring sensitive data is securely destroyed. Doing so requires a comprehensive assessment and risk analysis of the secure ITAD process to determine the appropriate data destruction method to suit your organization’s needs.
