Data Deletion vs. Data Destruction

Data Deletion vs. Data Destruction

Data Deletion vs. Data Destruction: What is the Difference?

Data Deletion vs. Data Destruction

Data security in today's digital world means a lot regarding sensitive information and all kinds of regulations. Basically, there are two prevalent terms in data security: data deletion and data destruction. Though these terms are often used synonymously, they are actually two different processes with different meanings regarding data security and compliance.

 

See also: What is a certificate of data destruction?

 

In this blog, the differences between data deletion and destruction will be discussed, along with their importance and best practices for maintaining security and responsibility associated with data management.

Understanding Data Deletion

Definition and Process

Data deletion, in general, is the process of removing data from inside a storage device or system, which then becomes inaccessible to the users. However, how deletion is performed may vary with regard to the method applied.

  • Simple Deletion: This generally involves a file being deleted using the normal method available through an operating system. It may involve sending the file to the Recycle Bin or Trash but without the actual removal from the storage medium. The space taken by the file will be marked as free space to fill in with new data, and the actual data itself is not deleted until something overrides it.

  • Logical Deletion: This is the deletion of references to data in the database or file systems, without actually removing it from the storage medium. Logical deletion often consists of the removal or alteration of metadata associated with the data; this makes the actual data difficult to access through normal means.

  • Limitations 

While data deletion makes the data unavailable through conventional means, it may not be a permanent destruction of such data. Deleted files can sometimes be restored with the use of various recovery software or forensic investigative tools, especially when it concerns sensitive and very confidential information whose removal needs to be absolute.

 

Other articles: Methods of Data Destruction

Understanding Data Destruction

Definition and Process

Data destruction is intensive and a more secure process than data deletion. Complete and irreversible destruction of data renders the data irrecoverable and irreconstructive. Methods of data destruction include:

  • Physical Destruction: Techniques falling under this category involve the physical destruction of the storage medium in such a way that retrieval of data is impossible. There are common techniques for physical destruction:

  • Shredding: Accomplished by industrial shredders that break down hard drives, SSDs, and other storage devices into small pieces.

  • Crushing: Uses devices that crush the storage media in such a way that no data can be retrieved from it.

  • Degaussing: Degaussing involves using an extremely strong magnetic field to disrupt the magnetic domains on all magnetic storage devices. By the end of this process, the data becomes unreadable because of the erasure of magnetic information on hard drives and tape drives.

  • Data Wiping: Data wiping, also called data erasure, is a procedure that involves overwriting data on a hard disk and/or other storage media with random patterns of data. The point of the process is complete overwriting of the old data so that it becomes irreducible. Effective data wiping requires several overwrite passes to ensure that the data is properly erased.

Benefits

Data destruction is more secure than data deletion because it ensures the permanent and irreversible elimination of data from the storage medium. This becomes important for any organization seeking to be compliant with regulations on data protection, such as GDPR or HIPAA, which demand the destruction of sensitive data when no longer in use.

 

Other articles: Importance of Data Destruction in Cybersecurity

Data Deletion vs. Data Destruction: When to Use Which

Data Deletion

  • Use Cases: Data deletion should be used in cases where data is no longer needed but perhaps does not necessarily need to be destroyed completely. Examples include deleting nonsensitive files and temporary cleaning of files from a system.

  • Considerations: Ensure that all data deletion techniques are relevant for the security level required. Simply deleting data may not provide an assurance against sensitive information disclosure. Additional measures such as data destruction may be needed.

Data Destruction

  • Use Cases: Data destruction becomes of paramount importance when the information is sensitive or confidential and needs to be destroyed in order to avoid unauthorized access. Such scenarios include:

  • End-of-Life Equipment: The data in decommissioned hardware should be destroyed before being disposed of or recycled.

  • Compliance Requirements: Compliance with regulations concerning data protection and privacy.

  • Data Breaches: Destroying data in the safest way possible when it has been breached, to prevent further exposure. 

  • Considerations: Develop a method for destroying data to meet organizational security requirements and compliance obligations; ensure that the selected approach is effective for the class of storage media that will be destroyed.

Best Practices for Data Deletion/Destruction

1. Data Management Policy Development

Put in place an extensive data management policy that defines processes for deleting and destroying data. The policy should explain:

  • Data Classification: Classify data by their sensitivity and define procedures for deletion and destruction.

  • Compliance: Ensure data management practices are in conformation with applicable regulations and standards.

2. Employ tools for secure deletion

Perform deletions using approved secure deletion tools that meet industry standards for data wiping. These must provide multiple overwrite passes to ensure data cannot be recovered.

3. Utilize Certified Data Destruction Services

When outsourcing data destruction services, it is important to make sure that providers are certified to at least one of the standards for the destruction of data in the industry. Various certifications, such as NAID, ensure that there is strict abidance by destruction practices with security and environmental standards in mind.

4. Document and Audit

Maintain detailed records regarding data deletion and destruction activities, including:

  • Certificates of Destruction: Obtain certificates from service providers as proof of destruction.

  • Audit Trails: Provide auditing trails with respect to the management of data for compliance with the policies and regulations.

5. Training and Educating Staff

Training of staff in charge of data management on security policies for data deletion and destruction should be provided. Training continuously helps avoid mistakes and typically embeds discipline in the application of security measures.

Conclusion 

Understanding the difference between the deletion of data and the destruction of data can enable one to manage data in a far more secure manner by meeting all the regulatory requirements one may have for such data. The perspective of strategic inaccessibility is provided by data deletion, which may not allow guaranteeing that it has been completely eradicated; and data destruction provides obvious permanence and irreversible elimination. It can help organizations protect sensitive information, meet compliance obligations, and reduce the risk of data breaches by implementing best practices for both data deletion and destruction.