HDDs, or hard-disk drives, are commonly found in computers, laptops, servers, and electronic devices all over the world. Due to their low cost and high storage capabilities, HDDs have been used for many years for archival purposes. But did you know that improper disposal of these storage devices can pose several risks in terms of privacy and data security?
In this article, we will explain why, if you want to prevent data breaches, you can’t simply delete the data in an HDD. We will also go through the main considerations for compliance and show you the best methods to get these devices properly destroyed.
What is a Hard Disk Drive?
In simple terms, a hard disk drive (commonly known as an HDD) is a device that consists of one or more rotating platters or disks that store information and can be read or written using a head mounted on an actuator arm. These platters are covered with a magnetic coat and stacked on a spindle that spins at about 5,400 to 15,000 revolutions per minute.
An HDD stores data on the platters’ surface, specifically on magnetized regions that represent binary information (or fields denoting 0s and 1s). Typically, the capacity of a hard disk drive ranges from a few gigabytes (GB) to several terabytes (TB).
Although HDDs have been widely used in the past years due to their established reliability, solid-state drives (or SSDs) have gained popularity because they perform faster and consume less power. Still, HDDs continue to be used for a variety of purposes and remain a cost-effective storage solution.
How Do HDDs Differ From Other Media Types?
The differences between HDDs and other types of media are related to capacity, performance, and technology. Here’s a quick overview of how they differ from each other:
- HDDs vs SSDs: Hard drives use magnetic disks to store data, while SSDs use non-volatile flash memory technology. Because SSDs have no moving parts, they allow for near-instantaneous data retrieval and faster overall system performance. They are also more durable and resistant to physical shocks.
- HDDs vs Optical Media: Optical media stores data using lasers that read and write the information on a reflective surface. These devices are typically smaller (CDs usually hold 700 MB to 1.5 GB, DVDs 4.7 GB to 9 GB, and Blu-rays 25 GB) and are slower.
- HDDs vs magnetic tapes: Magnetic tapes typically offer much higher storage capacities compared to HDDs (we’re talking multiple terabytes or even petabytes of data). However, they are typically used for sequential data and are more suitable for long-term storage as opposed to frequent data retrieval.
Each of these media types has its strengths and use cases, so the choice depends on the specific application and preferences of your organization. For example, a company like a data center might choose to use HDDs instead of SSDs in situations where cost-effective storage capacity is prioritized over performance.
Hard Drive Destruction and Data Erasure
If your organization is required to protect against a data breach by erasing all data, you will need to ensure the media is destroyed properly.
There are several effective methods for destroying a hard drive and making the data stored in it irretrievable. For instance:
- Industrial shredders can completely destroy hard drives by tearing them into small pieces (so small, in fact, that the data would be virtually impossible to read).
- Crushers and pulverizers are another possible physical destruction method that subjects a hard drive to a powerful force or pressure that completely damages the internal components.
- Disintegrators use machinery to break the hard drives into small particles, too. This is typically done using high-speed rotating blades or mechanical disintegration processes that completely get rid of sensitive information stored in a drive.
- Lastly, degaussers are specifically designed to deal with magnetic hard drives. They expose the drive to a strong magnetic field that disrupts the domains on the platters and erases the data, making it nearly impossible to recover.
Using Degaussers to Destroy Data in an HDD
Degaussing is considered a good way to destroy a hard disk drive. However, while this method can effectively erase the information in data devices, it might not render the HDD completely unusable.
Something to keep in mind is that degaussers are primarily designed to erase data from magnetic media, such as traditional HDDs or magnetic tapes. They are not effective in destroying solid-state drives (SSDs) or non-magnetic media. Also, while degaussing can erase sensitive data, there is a slight chance that some residual information may still be recoverable.
In other words, degaussing is a useful method for erasing data stored in magnetic media, but it’s not the best one for completely destroying an HDD.
The Risks of Information Falling on the Wrong Hands
If an HDD is not properly destroyed, its confidential or sensitive data can potentially be accessed by unauthorized people. This can occur if the HDD is improperly disposed of, sold without proper data sanitization, or if the destruction method used is inadequate.
Improper destroying an HDD can also make your organization non-compliant with data protection regulations and industry standards, such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), or HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) – all of which require organizations to implement secure data destruction practices. If you don’t, you might have to face legal consequences and/or penalties. Plus, if HDDs are not destroyed and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner, they can contribute to pollution and contamination of landfills.
In order to mitigate these risks, you should always ensure you destroy your HDDs properly. The best way to do this is by using reliable and recognized methods like shredding or degaussing and getting help from professional data destruction services.
At Phiston Technologies, we can help you dispose of your devices properly so you can safeguard their information and avoid fines. Our products use patented designs to ensure the data is made 100% unrecoverable and can meet the highest levels of compliance for data destruction.
Contact us today to find out more about our data destruction products and services.
