Storage Media Destruction

Publish Date:2017-05-12

1. Destruction: Files that have been kept for a required number of years may be destroyed if there is no added value in preserving. Once approved through legal procedures, files can then be removed or destroyed using methods deemed appropriate.

2. Scope of destruction: Includes cassette tapes, floppy disks, optical discs, hard disks, magnetic tapes etc.

3. Steps for destroying storage media: The methods used include physical destruction, hard disk overwrite, hard disk and tape degaussing etc. The actual steps taken are described below.

I. For storage media that may still be used

i. Deleting electronic records: Perform multiple overwrites using Eraser or other professional software, until electronic records are completely removed beyond recovery.

ii. Re-formatting: Removing electronic records using the complete format command provided in the operating system or the backup tools.

II. For storage media that can no longer be used

i. Degauss: Neutralize the magnetic characteristics of the storage media using a high-frequency degausser, which renders the media unable to store data of any kind.

ii. Physical destroy: Break the storage media into pieces using a shredder, to the extent that is beyond repair.