Your Questions about Data Destruction, Answered
With a rising tide of identity theft and fraud, stockpiling old hard drives and backup tapes is not a secure option. Given the increasing risks, more businesses are realizing the importance of having a data destruction solution. In this blog post, we answer your data destruction questions.
Q: Why Shouldn’t I Sell My Old Backup Tapes and Hard Drives?
A: You may put your customers and employees at risk of identity theft. A recent study by the National Association of Information Destruction (NAID) found that 40 percent of used electronic devices sold on the secondhand market contained personally identifiable information (PII).
Q: So Even If I Erase My Used Devices, I Still Shouldn’t Sell Them?
A: No. With no advanced forensic training, a thief can recover sensitive data from erased and reformatted media. The legal risks and potential damage to your brand and reputation aren’t worth making a few dollars by selling your devices.
Q: Is Data Destruction the Law?
A: Yes, several well-known federal regulations mandate privacy protection standards for the disposal of financial, medical and personal information. These laws include:
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA)
- The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
As a result, electronic media with sensitive data must be destroyed in accordance with state, local and federal requirements.
Q: How Do I Know My Data Destruction Partner Is Reputable and Trustworthy?
A: Make sure your data destruction partner is NAID AAA Certified. The National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) is the non-profit, standards-setting body for the information destruction industry. NAID AAA Certified data destruction companies must pass ongoing audits by third-party security professionals so you know your media is destroyed within a strict chain of custody and according to the highest industry standards. And don’t forget to ask potential providers for client references.
Q: I’m Concerned about E-Waste Polluting the Environment. What Happens to My Shredded Material?
A: After your media is shredded, an authorized recycling partner separates the shredded metals and other materials and recycles them according to state and federal environmental standards.
If you have a data destruction question we haven’t answered, let us know. We have the answers you need.
Pacific Records Management provides hard drive and media shredding services for businesses throughout Fresno, Stockton, Sacramento, Modesto, and Napa and Solano Counties. For more information, please call us at 800-685-9034 or complete the form on this page.