What is the best method for secure data erasure?

Deleting a file from your hard disk drive actually doesn’t, in most cases, do anything to the information itself. What it does is remove the instruction information that tells the system where to access and display the data. Even emptying the recycle bin doesn’t remove the data itself. To the general PC user, the file deleted is no longer accessible but a simple and free piece of software can restore this file alongside multiple other files previously deleted.

Eventually, the original file may become overwritten when space is required on the drive. This is referred to as a pass but even then the file may be recovered until multiple passes are made. Data recovery software can effectively restore most data from a drive that has been overwritten for up to 3 passes.

Data erasure software

As mentioned above, it is not until the data on your device has been overwritten in excess of 3 passes until it starts to become unrecoverable. This is exactly how data erasure software works, it overwrites each sector on the drive over and over again until it has exceeded 3 passes.

Here’s the advancement in technology part…

Due to the advancement of data density on disk platters in modern hard drives, it has become easier for each pass to now be a lot more effective in wiping over the data to such an extent that even 1 pass of advanced data deletion software can deeply overwrite the data making it unrecoverable. Most recognised software will give you an intensive option to pass 3+ times for extra security.

When you are protecting and erasing sensitive and confidential information, you should always use recognised software and a reputable business to carry out the requirements of the process. If the processes of the disk erasure is monitored and logged correctly, then there shouldn’t be any problems and the data erasure process is 100% reliable and secure.

Most recognised data erasure programs will also process a report stating the condition of the drive as well as auditing the serial number and specifications of not only the drive but also the device hosting the drive.

Another advantage of using data erasure software is that you open up the option to remarket your assets without devaluing the data baring device. This can produce a significant financial return to your business.

A disadvantage to data erasure software is that it can take several hours to erase a disk. Fortunately, the industry-approved programs have a network feature allowing you to erase and audit multiple disks all at once.

Degaussing

Another popular method of erasing (destroying) data is to use a degaussing mechanism. This is used to “flip” all of the parts on the magnetic material so that no hint of the actual data remains and no data recovery is possible.

Degaussing involves placing the actual hard drive into a moving magnetic field that is strong enough to realign the molecules and eradicate any data within the hard disk drive.

However, degaussing does more than just remove your data. It will also remove the information embedded on the disk from the manufacturer. You can not recreate or reinstall this information and the disk itself will no longer be operational and therefore can not be reused.

Degaussing is a much faster processor of data erasure and a drive can be erased in only a few minutes, no matter what size device it is. This can make it a much cheaper option for data erasure. However, the drive will need to be removed from its host which can be quite a labour intesive task.

A disadvantage to degaussing is that as the disk can not be reused, you are unable to test the disk to see if the erasure worked. Hence if a problem had occurred during the degaussing process or if there was a pre existing fault, then there would be a risk that the data may still be sitting on the drive.

Degaussed drives are often shredded or split as a secondary precaution. These are of course at additional expenses.