Data Protection By Shredding Storage Devices

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Questions and Answers

What is one common method used by organizations to ensure corporate data is not accessible when upgrading devices?

Reusing the storage in new devices

Donating the old devices as they are

Selling the old devices without removing the storage

Shredding the storage component (correct)

How can you physically destroy a storage device without a large shredder?

Dismantling the device

Using a drill or a hammer (correct)

Using a magnet on the device

Wiping the drive with software

What does a degausser do to a storage device?

Increases the magnetic field

Encrypts the data

Extracts the data

Removes the magnetic field (correct)

Why is incineration considered as a method to ensure data remains unrecoverable?

It destroys the device completely Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the data on a storage device once it has been shredded?

Data becomes unrecoverable Signup and view all the answers

Why do organizations often use industrial shredders to destroy storage components?

To ensure complete destruction and prevent data access Signup and view all the answers

What is important to obtain from a third party when handing over corporate data for destruction?

A certificate or verification of destruction Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a quick format and a regular format of a drive?

Quick format removes the drive index but leaves data intact, regular format overwrites all data with zeros. Signup and view all the answers

Which utility can be used for secure file deletion on Windows systems?

Sdelete from Windows Sysinternals Signup and view all the answers

What does DBAN stand for in the context of drive deletion?

Disk Boot and Nuke Signup and view all the answers

Why might you perform a regular format instead of a quick format on a drive?

To ensure no data can be recovered Signup and view all the answers

How does physical destruction of a drive ensure data security?

It makes the drive unreadable and unusable Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the 159 drives purchased from eBay contained sensitive data?

42% Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to securely delete information from storage drives?

To prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information Signup and view all the answers

What does Sdelete from Windows Sysinternals offer that a standard delete function does not?

Deletes files permanently without any trace Signup and view all the answers

Why would you choose to use DBAN for deleting data on a drive multiple times?

To ensure complete removal of sensitive data Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Organizations often donate or destroy old devices when upgrading, removing storage components to prevent unauthorized access to corporate data.
Shredding is an effective way to ensure data is unrecoverable, involving large industrial devices or physical destruction with drills or hammers.
Electromagnetic means, such as deguassers, can also destroy drives by removing their magnetic fields.
Incineration is another option to ensure no data can be recovered.
Many organizations have large numbers of drives to destroy each year, often outsourcing to third parties who provide certificates of destruction.
Manufacturers provide a low-level format at the factory, followed by standard formats that remove data in varying degrees.
Quick format only removes the drive index, leaving data intact and potentially recoverable.
Regular format overwrites all data with zeros, making it unrecoverable.
Secure delete functions, like Sdelete, allow selective overwriting of data while keeping the rest intact.
Third-party utilities, like DBAN, offer secure delete options and multiple overwrite passes for peace of mind.
A 2019 study found that 42% of used drives purchased from eBay contained sensitive data, including personal information and emails.

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Description

Learn about the importance of shredding storage devices to protect sensitive corporate data before donating or destroying old devices. Explore the process of using industrial shredding devices to ensure that data remains inaccessible to unauthorized individuals.