A hard drive is a storage device that holds digital content. It is known as “non-volatile” storage, meaning that it saves data, even when its power source has been turned off. All of your computer’s programs, files, photos, and documents are saved to the hard drive. Hard drives can exist internally – within your devices and externally – connected by a USB cable or other wired interface.
While running a business, you will undoubtedly need to replace your hard drives as they are worn out or damaged. However, you may not know what to do with the old drives. Holding on to hard drives can be just as risky as throwing them away. If given access, hackers can easily recover data, even if your hard drive is no longer working.
Hard drive destruction prevents the risk of a data breach by physically destroying your hard drives and all of the data they contain. It is a good idea to establish a regular system to dispose of your hard drives to protect your business and customer data. In addition to data protection, there are many benefits of hard drive destruction services.
4 Major Benefits of Hard Drive Destruction
Data Protection
Hard drives can hold hundreds of thousands of files containing personally identifying information, business secrets, and financial data. Deleting your files doesn’t make them safe. When you delete a file from your hard drive, its location is removed and the sectors containing the data are considered available. However, the data still exists on your hard drive and can be restored.
Hard drive destruction is the only guaranteed method of data protection. Only when the hard drive is physically broken down, is your data completely inaccessible and safe.
Legal Compliance
Federal and state regulations require businesses to take precautions when handling and disposing of customer information. When you have disposed of your hard drives with professional shredding services, you will receive a certificate of destruction. This proves to your clients and regulatory bodies that your hard drives have been shredded in full compliance with privacy laws. Certified and verifiable destruction not only keeps your sensitive information secure but prevents violations and fines for non-compliance.
Save Money
Storing old hard drives takes up valuable space in your office. Therefore, another benefit of hard drive destruction services will free up space that can be used for profit-generating activities rather than storage.
Destruction services also prevent the costly effects of a data breach. According to a recent IBM report, data breaches cost companies around $4 million per incident. That number includes direct and indirect costs; such as time used to deal with the breach, recovering your reputation, loss of customers, and legal fines. Spending a little money on data destruction now can save your company millions of dollars in the long run.
Environmental Initiatives
E-waste is a global issue that causes health problems and environmental damage. Electronics contain a number of toxic materials that are released into the atmosphere when decomposing in landfills. Hard drive destruction includes recycling to prevent e-waste and dangerous pollution.
The creation of new electronics requires metals like copper, gold, silver, and palladium. The demand for these metals has led to excessive mining that depletes the land and contaminates soil and water. When your devices are recycled, metals can be extracted and reused, saving valuable resources and making technology more sustainable.
How Professional Hard Drive Destruction Services Work
Hard drive destruction shreds your hard drives using specialized shredding equipment. Our shredders use 40,000 pounds of force to crush and break your hard drives into tiny, unusable pieces. It is the most secure method of data erasure and often the least expensive. We include recycling and a certificate of destruction with each service.
Receive Free Quotes on Hard Drive Destruction Services Today
Protect your sensitive data with hard drive destruction services. Our nationwide network of destruction experts offers certified services across the country. Fill out the form or call us at (800) 648-4908 to connect with destruction providers in your area. Within minutes, they will contact you with free, no-obligation price quotes on your hard drive destruction project.
