Why Shred Media?

In today’s technology, the most common device used for the storage of permanent data is magnetic media. Magnetic media can hold large amounts of data because the magnetic imprinting uses minimal space and thereby maximizes the capacity of the device. Magnetic media can be hard disks drives, digital tapes, credit cards, debit cards, cd’s, dvd’s, and videotapes. Magnetic media uses magnetic patterns to imprint data onto the media.

When data is to be removed from magnetic media, a technique called degaussing is used to wipe the media clean. This method is recommended as opposed to formatting, deleting, or overwriting information which on most media does not erase the data completely. Degaussers send magnetic fields over the media that neutralize the polarity of the magnetic pattern and render the data unreadable. Therefore, the data still remains on the media, but in an unreadable state.

Degaussing media is a good standard practice; however, degaussing alone does not guarantee data security. Degaussing disables low-level formatting but there are ways to return the media back to an operational state which would allow the computer to access the information that has not been deleted. This has been proven through the techniques of manufacturers and computer forensic specialists. In order to be sure that the information stored on media is inaccessible it is best to have the media shredded to tiny pieces. This can be done by a data destruction professional such as Data Killers. Data Killers is a nationwide data destruction specialist with experience in handling classified information.