How to Properly Shred a Computer Hard Drive
How to Properly Shred a Computer Hard Drive
Computer hard drives have troves of information that data thieves and other criminals would love to get their hands on. These devices often contain a wide range of private and secure info, including personal client details and confidential company secrets. When it’s time to dispose of them, they require special handling to ensure the information they store is gone forever.
Computer hard drive shredding permanently erases stored data. It is the most effective way to protect your company, customers and bottom line from the hazards of unauthorized access. The process requires special equipment and skill to complete.
What Is Hard Drive Shredding?
Wiping and shredding a hard drive are separate things. A wipe deletes all software and saved files, but the data is still potentially recoverable. If someone with a bit of skill and experience gets their hands on the discarded hard drive, they can reconstruct the files and view the information.
With computer hard drive shredding, the drive and data are physically destroyed. This process uses specialized machines designed to pulverize electronics. The hard drives are demolished beyond the point of recovery. It will be impossible for anyone to retrieve the data, providing you with total peace of mind.
How Does Computer Hard Drive Shredding Work?
There are two standard methods for shredding computer hard drives. These include:
- Crushing: Crushing relies on power. This process uses over three-and-a-half tons of force to punch through the drive platter — the storage component located in the middle of the drive. The impact annihilates the magnetic materials, obliterating the hard drive and rendering it a useless metal hunk.
- Shearing: Shearing is like putting a hard drive through a paper shredder. With this method, the hard drive goes into an industrial-strength shredding machine where it’s sliced into tiny bits. Shredding hard drives is 100% effective. Even if someone managed to collect the shredded pieces, it would be impossible to put them back together.
5 Reasons to Shred Your Hard Drive
Shredding hard drives is the best way to ensure your stored data is gone for good. There are also many other reasons to consider this disposal method:
- Savings: Shredding is a much more affordable alternative to the costs associated with a data breach.
- Compliance: Companies storing health, financial and other personal records may be subject to oversight.
- Trust: Clients appreciate knowing you’re taking actionable steps to protect their families and data.
- Reputation: A data breach can harm your brand. Shredding provides a safeguard, helping you avoid bad press.
- Simplicity: Computer hard drive shredding is a fast and simple process when you partner with the right provider.
Contact DataSpan for Computer Hard Drive Shredding Services
If you have retired hard drives you need to dispose of, let us handle them for you. At DataSpan, we provide shredding services in all 50 states. Our team will eliminate your hard drive and erase your digital files using a proven process and 50 years of industry experience.
Reach out to us today using our contact form to get started.
