Data Destruction

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What Is Data Destruction?

Data destruction is the secure process of completely and permanently removing information stored in any storage media within a data bearing electronic asset. One very most important consideration when selecting a data destruction company is to ensure that they are accredited by relevant standards and can carry out the destruction of your company’s confidential data securely and properly with certification of data destruction.

We have adequate security protocols in place and are in compliance with international data security standards to ensure the safe and permanent removal of data from storage devices while maintaining the highest level of data security and compliance.

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In certain scenarios, clients require the assurance of physically witnessing the destruction of electronic media. At Metalo, we understand the importance of transparency and offer the option for witnessed destruction of hard drives and storage media. This can be arranged by hosting the client at our state-of-the-art processing facility, ensuring a firsthand view of the secure data destruction process. For those unable to attend in person, we facilitate witnessing through a secure webcam link. Clients can remotely observe the destruction process in real-time, ensuring transparency and security from the comfort of their location. We offer the option of providing video recordings and photos of the entire destruction process for client hard drives. This documentation serves as tangible proof of the secure and irreversible destruction of data, meeting compliance requirements and offering peace of mind.

Choosing an accredited company with effective security protocol for data destruction helps organisations maintain data privacy, prevent data breaches, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements, ultimately contributing to a more secure and reliable operational environment. 

Our Data Destruction Process

1

Serial Validation

2

Onsite Destruction

3

Secure Transport

4

Offsite Destruction

5

Demanufacture & Recycle

6

Certificate of Destruction with Evidence

1

Serial Validation

2

Onsite Destruction

3

Secure Transport

4

Offsite Destruction

5

Demanufacture & Recycle

6

Certificate of Destruction with Evidence

Type of storage media

storage media

Magnetic Hard Drives

storage media

Flash Drive

ssd img

Solid-State Drives (SSD)

storage media

Mobile Devices

storage media

Backup Tapes

Items

Offsite Destruction

Onsite Destruction

Data bearing IT equipment (eg. desktops, laptops, servers)

Storage Media Only

Non-data bearing IT equipment (eg. printers, consumer electronics, audio/visual equipment)

Mobile devices and tablets

Hard disk drivers

Solid state drives

Backup tapes

Flash drives

Optical media

Cards

Printed circuit boards

Integrated circuit chips

Best Practices for Data Destruction

Data Understanding and Clarification

Before diving into the destruction process, take a moment to determine if it's sensitive, confidential, or simply no longer needed. Knowing what you're dealing with will help you choose the most suitable method for destruction.

Regulatory Compliance

Familiarise yourself with relevant data protection and privacy regulations. Ensure your data destruction practices comply with these obligations, including any specific retention requirements.

Data Lifecycle Management (DLM)

Utilise robust DLM software to automate data inventory, management, and destruction scheduling, ensuring data is stored appropriately and destroyed when obsolete.

Involve Third Parties

Extend your data destruction policies to third-party partners. Ensure contracts enforce proper data destruction protocols for any data handled by external entities.

Contingency Planning

Plan for unexpected data access or storage scenarios. For instance, ensure data is migrated and destroyed before servicing or retiring storage subsystems.

Ensure Accountability

Establish policies for confirming data destruction, whether through overwriting or physical means. Document destruction processes and obtain validation from responsible parties.

Data Destruction Standards

Data destruction, in accordance with NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines, is the meticulously controlled process of rendering data unrecoverable. It goes beyond mere deletion or formatting, employing advanced techniques and standards to ensure that information is permanently and securely obliterated from storage devices, leaving no trace behind. NIST-compliant data destruction methods are essential for safeguarding sensitive and confidential data, meeting legal and regulatory requirements, and mitigating the risk of data breaches. By following these stringent standards, organisations can confidently protect their information assets and demonstrate their commitment to data security and compliance.

Metalo provides data destruction methods that align with the latest industry standards and adhere to regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance with the following international standards and guidelines

  • National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-88 r1 Guidelines (NIST 800-88r1)
  • ISO 27001 Information Security Standard
  • R2V3 (Responsible Recycling) Standard
  • NSA Storage Device Sanitisation Manual
  • SS 587 National Environmental Agency Singapore
  • Resource Sustainability Act (RSA) Singapore
  • Personal Data Protection Act (PDPC) Singapore
  • Instruction Manual for ICT&SS Management (IM8)

REUSE

RECYCLE

Erase

Degauss

Crush

Shred

Magnetic drives

Solid state drives

Tapes

Benefit

Eco-friendly

Quick and Economical

Quick and Visual Verification of Physical Destruction

Quick and Thorough Physical Destruction at Higher Level

NIST 800-88 r1

CLEAR

PURGE

DESTROY

exclusive confidential destruction

Exclusive Confidential Destruction Services

Reserved for government contractors and agencies, our services adhere to the highest level of security protocols. The processing area remains restricted to essential personnel only, with no other activities taking place during asset processing. All materials are jointly escorted into the facility by the customer’s contractor and government agency representative. Witnessed destruction is formally validated through signatures from Metalo, the contractor, and government representatives. Metalo possesses the full capability to provide secure destruction, disposal, and recycling services for assets in strict compliance with the Instruction Manual for ICT&SS Management (IM8) / NSA Storage Device Sanitisation Manual.