Every day we store and move a large amount of data and information within our devices. In the corporate context, this information can be very valuable, containing data considered sensitive and sensitive.
With data protection laws coming into force, organizations have sought to develop methods to handle this information safely. Therefore, in accordance with legislation and technical standards, the establishment of policies for the safe disposal of data is essential.
Tips to ensure safe data disposal
Protecting the physical and digital files we keep stored should be a priority. In this way, the use of passwords and encryption techniques can ensure the security of this information. However, when this data is deleted, it must also be protected so that it is not retrieved.
It is common for people to believe that after deleting a file on a device, the data disappears. But there is a difference between the disposal of data and the secure destruction of information.
When you discard a file, whether you throw a paper in the trash or drag a document into your device's trash, it can still be accessed. So delete is not enough.
Secure data destruction involves methods to make information inaccessible. And here we will learn a little more about these ways to ensure the security of the discarded data.
Control your inventory
Physical documents can be discarded relatively easily. Just make sure it is properly fragmented, and if it contains sensitive information, it is not identifiable.
But discarding can be more difficult when we talk about electronic media. Files can be easily copied and shared, causing you to lose control over the information.
In addition, many digital media, such as old servers, equipment that is no longer used, such as CDs, DVDs, and removable media such as thumb drives, may contain sensitive information.
Therefore, having control over your inventory and determining safe ways to dispose of information is essential for your organization to comply with current technical standards and laws, such as the LGPD and GDPR.
Note what type of data is being processed
When determining the best methods for discarding and destroying data and devices, you need to take into account some important factors. First, the kind of media you're dealing with. Then the type of data being discarded or destroyed.
It is also essential to take into account the lifetime of that information, that is, whether it can still be important. You also need to pay close attention to comply with your organization's information security policies.
After observing these factors, you can choose which method best applies to your situation. Thus, you will be able to use the correct tools to safely dispose of information.
Choose your processes and suppliers well
Safely dropping data is a broad and complex issue. Within an organization it can involve multiple teams and vendors. So, you need to know what information stored in digital media can be retrieved, even after the devices are formatted.
To ensure that deleted data cannot be easily recovered, there are processes that allow the confidentiality of information. Let's learn more about them.
How to safely dispose of data
There are some techniques to discard these electronic media, but it is worth remembering that some are valid for only a part of them. Let's find out why.
Overwrite and encrypt
Hard drives can go through some types of processes to ensure that data is destroyed securely.
You can adopt tools to overwrite information, which consists of writing data sequences to make files incomprehensible. Or use methods to encrypt deleted data, so you ensure that it is not recovered.
These methods allow the device to be reused after sanitization. Thus, they are recommended in case of reuse and can be used on hard drives and SSDs.
Degaussing
Safe disposal of data stored on hard drives can also be accomplished through a technique called degaussing. This exposes the device to a magnetic field that renders the disk unusable, destroying the information without the use of software.
This method does not ensure the destruction of data in SSDs because they do not have magnetized parts.
Physical destruction
You can also opt for the physical destruction of the device. This ensures that electronic media is completely destroyed or unused, and data cannot be recovered.
It is very difficult to physically destroy hard drives and devices so that they cannot be recovered. To do this, you may need a vendor that has certifications and guarantees that the media will be completely destroyed.
It is worth monitoring the destruction processes to ensure that current regulations and laws are being complied with. This ensures the security of your data and prevents possible leaks of sensitive information.
Take up security best practices
The security of your organization also passes you by. In this way, the leakage of sensitive data can affect the institution in which you operate in different ways. Therefore, always try to adopt security best practices and follow internal policies.
When discarding any information or device, look for the information security team. So you can know what practices your organization adopts and ensure that they are being followed.
To learn more about protecting your data and ensuring the privacy of your information, follow our Youtube channel. There you find content on how to organize your digital life and what are the best methods not to fall into scams on the internet.
