Prevent Data Breaches with Certified Data Destruction

In 2021, Maine’s HealthReach Community Health Centers was compelled to notify over 100,000 patients that their personally identifiable information may have been compromised after the organization failed to dispose of several old hard drives properly. Those devices contained patient names, test results, Social Security Numbers, financial and insurance details, passwords, PINS, and other highly confidential information.

Instead of being handled securely by a certified IT asset disposition provider (ITAD), the HealthReach hard drives were handed off to a third-party storage company that failed to wipe them clean or shred them. That incident eroded patient trust, brought unwanted attention from regulators, and cost the company a lot of money.

A single data breach can cripple a business, leading to devastating financial losses, regulatory penalties, and serious reputational damage. For most people, the idea of a data breach calls to mind sophisticated cyberattacks perpetrated by organized groups of overseas hackers. Yet, there are far simpler ways for bad actors to get their hands on confidential information. Organizations often dispose of old IT equipment without properly destroying the data they contain.

One of the most effective ways to protect your business from data breaches is through certified data destruction services. Let’s explore how certified data destruction ensures that your sensitive information is permanently erased, safeguarding your business from cyber threats, compliance risks, and serious reputational harm.

Why Data Destruction is Key to Preventing Data Breaches

When an organization decommissions unwanted IT assets, the residual data those devices contain can become a serious liability. Even after a user “deletes” files from their computer, that information often remains intact. It can easily be retrieved using simple, widely available tools.

Secure data destruction eliminates the risk that unauthorized parties will ever be able to recover your company’s sensitive information. Certified ITAD providers follow rigorous protocols when handling the IT devices entrusted to them, maintaining a transparent chain of custody, securing physical access to the devices, and using industry-standard methods to destroy confidential data permanently. They also maintain clear audit trails, providing proof of secure data destruction.

Whether your devices contain customer records, financial information, or trade secrets, ensuring the permanent destruction of that data is essential to regulatory compliance, safeguarding your business, and maintaining the trust of your stakeholders.

The Role of Certification in Data Destruction Services

Certification ensures that destruction processes meet strict regulatory and industry standards, such as:

• NIST 800-88 (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is a set of guidelines for secure data destruction to ensure sensitive information is irretrievable from storage media.
• DoD 5220.22-M (Department of Defense) is a data destruction standard outlining methods for securely erasing classified information from storage devices.
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a US law that mandates the protection and confidential handling of personally identifiable healthcare information.
•  GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a European law that impacts companies globally. It protects personal data and privacy, with strict rules on data processing and rights for individuals.

Certified ITAD companies adhere to these standards, guaranteeing that data on hard drives, tapes, or other storage media is irretrievably destroyed. Working with a certified company offers peace of mind and a clear audit trail to prove compliance.

Common Certified Data Destruction Methods

Certified ITAD service providers use various techniques to eliminate data from physical devices permanently. Here are the most common methods:

• Secure Erasure (Data Wiping): For devices that will be reused or resold, certified providers use advanced software to overwrite the data, making it irretrievable. This ensures that the device remains fully functional while eliminating security risks.
• Shredding: This method uses specialized shredding equipment to physically destroy storage devices such as hard drives, CDs, and other media.
• Degaussing: Using a powerful electromagnetic field, degaussing erases data stored on magnetic media like hard drives and tapes. Just as with shredding, this process renders the media permanently unusable.

Each method has unique pros and cons. The best ITAD service providers can customize their data destruction approach to address specific storage devices and conform to laws and standards regarding the sensitivity of the data being destroyed.

Compliance and Regulatory Requirements for Data Destruction

Data protection regulations have grown more stringent in recent years, making certified data destruction a legal necessity. Businesses must comply with laws like GDPR and HIPAA. Any organization that accepts credit or debit cards must comply with PCI DSS, which dictates the secure handling of payment card information to safeguard against financial fraud.

Fines and penalties can be costly. When financial giant Morgan Stanley improperly disposed of some decommissioned laptops and servers, the company neglected to ensure that confidential customer information had been destroyed. That led to $60 million in federal fines and multiple lawsuits, and the company’s reputation also suffered greatly.

Certified data destruction ensures that your company fully adheres to all applicable regulations and that you have an audit trail to prove it.

Choosing a Certified Data Destruction Provider to Protect Your Business

Selecting the right certified data destruction provider is critical to safeguarding your business. Look for an ITAD company certified by a widely respected industry organization like eStewards. Ask if the provider’s certifications cover NIST, DoD, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance, and inquire about reporting, auditing, and documentation such as certificates of data destruction.

Check references and look for an organization that has been in business for some time. Companies with a proven track record can point you to satisfied repeat customers who see value in the service levels they get from their ITAD provider.

You should also evaluate each company’s protocols for handling devices, including transportation and secure chain of custody. Ask them to provide documentation demonstrating how their procedures protect your data from the point of collection through destruction.

NCS Global has three decades of experience in the IT asset disposition business and a stellar track record for customer service. Contact us today to learn how NCS Global’s certified data destruction services can protect your business from data breaches and compliance risks.