what is the primary difference between sanitization and destruction in the disposal process?
Understanding the Primary Difference Between Sanitization and Destruction in the Disposal Process
Data security, in this new digital age, is prime for any organization, irrespective of its size. Care to ensure that sensitive data is irretrievably erased from retired IT assets becomes very important considering the possibility of unauthorized access, serious data breaches, and compliance issues. Therefore, two major processes followed while disposing of the devices include data sanitization and destruction.
Though these terms are used as synonyms by many, they both stand for different processes with varied methodologies and outputs.
This blog will talk about the major differences between sanitization and destruction in a data disposal process and why they are important to implement in the best possible manner.
What is Data Sanitization?
Data sanitization is a process of intentional, irreversible, and permanent deletion or destruction of data from a memory device to make recovery impossible.
Data sanitization tries to prevent the potential leakage of sensitive information to unauthorized parties at the end-of-life of the storage device through reuse, resale, or disposal.
Data Sanitization Techniques
1. Data Wiping
- Overview: This overwrites the storage device's data with random patterns of binary code, that is 1's and 0's. In simple terms, it ensures the complete original data is overwritten in a manner that it's obliterated forever and can never be recovered again by any means conventionally known.
- Tools: Many available software tools are capable of wiping data according to requirements published by governmental standards, like the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) 5220.22-M and NIST Special Publication 800-88.
- Use Case: Best for Devices which might be Re-purposed/Resold.
2. Degaussing
- Overview: Degaussing is a method applied strongly on the media, in which the magnetic field is used to scramble the magnetic domains. If anything, it has more applicability in entities like hard drives and magnetic tapes.
- Tools: Tools specially made machines like degaussers.
- Use Case: High-security environments requiring data to be irreversibly purged.
3. Cryptographic
- Overview: In this technique, data is first encrypted and afterwards encryption keys are erased. Data without the encryption key is obscure and irretrievable.
- Tools: Included encryption by default in all recent storage devices.
- Use Case: Best for Solid State Drives with high-end enterprise data protection requirements.
What is Data Destruction?
Data destruction is the physical destruction of the storage device in a way that the data written on it can never be recovered. The strategy is being considered the top security approach for disposal of data since by its adoption; there is no possibility to revive the data.
Data Destruction Techniques
1. Shredding
- Overview: This is confirmed by breaking down the storage media into small sizes by the use of industrial shredders. Highly effective for all hard drives, CDs, DVDs, and any other physical media.
- Tools: Industrial-type shredders specifically made for electronic-bound media.
- Use Case: Appropriate for things such as devices that cannot be reused, hence secured for disposal.
2. Crushing
- Overview: Crushing deforms the storage device due to mechanical pressure, rendering it nonfunctional and making data recovery a near improbability.
- Tools: such as hard drive crushers and other applications-based and mechanical devices.
- Use Case: Organizations needing fast and verified destruction of their physical media.
3. Incineration
- Overview: Incineration is the act of running storage devices through high heat to ensure that the data — and the device containing it — is utterly eradicated.
- Tools: Dedicated incineration facilities.
- Use Case: Perfect for ultra-sensitive data that cannot stay within the device or a data trace.
Key Differences Between Sanitization and Destruction
1. Differences Between Sanitization and Destruction : Purpose and Output
- Sanitization: The intention is to make the data on the device not recoverable along with keeping the device in working order to possibly reassign it or re-market it. The data is destroyed beyond recoverability either by being overwritten with a new value or otherwise modified into an illegible state.
- Destruction: The destruction is the actual physical destruction of the devices, ensuring that the recovery of data is impossible; thus, a device is made unusable and should be disposed of.
2. Differences Between Sanitization and Destruction : Reusability
- Sanitization: enables the storage device to be either reused or resold after securely erasing data.
- Destruction: The device is rendered non-reusable and non-resalable as it is made nonfunctional by physical destruction.
3. Differences Between Sanitization and Destruction : Tools and Techniques
- Sanitization: Software tools that perform a process of cleaning or wiping data; degaussers use magnetic disruption; cryptographic erase employs encryption methods.
- Destruction: It destroys the storage by physical tools such as crushers, shredders, and incinerators.
4. Differences Between Sanitization and Destruction : Environmental Impact
- Sanitization: Generally has less environmental impact because the device can be reused or recycled.
- Destruction: This might result in a more hazardous effect on the environment since shredded, crushed, or incinerated materials are disposed of.
Best Practices for Implementing Data Sanitization and Destruction
1. Assess Data Sens
- Determine if the data stored on the device is very sensitive or highly classified—which might necessitate physical destruction—or not so—rather, some level of sanitization would suffice.
2. Compliance and Standards
- Comply: Ensure your practices align with any applicable regulations and standards, like GDPR, HIPAA, and NIST 800-88.
3. Choose the Best Method for Processing
- Choose the data disposal method depending on how sensitive the data is, regulatory requirements, and the intended use of the storage device in life.
4. Document the Process
- There shall be recorded documentation of how the data was destroyed, what the methods were, and who was responsible, including records of destruction or certificates of clearance/sanitization.
5. Obtain/Invite Certified Providers
- Deal with certified ITAD (IT Asset Disposition) providers compliant with the industry's best practices and standards for data destruction and data sanitization.
Conclusion
It is relevant for organizations to understand the major differences existing between data sanitization and data destruction in their implementation.
At Rapid Solutions, data sanitization provides consistent reassurance that data storage devices can be put to new utilization or sold second-hand, enabled by secure erasure, whereas data destruction completely cripples the data and the device itself. This process of IT asset disposal properly supports the protection of sensitive information and contributes valuable help to the environment through organizational methodologies of best practices, chosen according to the nature of the data and specific requirements.
