Governmental agencies frequently store huge volumes of data. Governments might need to keep the majority of this data for a while, but eventually, it will be required to erase it. Let’s examine some of the major data kinds that organizations may need to discard for reasons of data security and financial responsibility, as well as a few scenarios your government organization may need to take into account.
Why Should Data Be Secured?
Despite the fact that a large portion of government data is public record, data classification and retention schedules are intended to inform public sector organisations as to when particular types of data are no longer required. In truth, retaining such data exposes the agency—as well as the people and companies it serves—to risk. The effects of leaked data can be disastrous whether they occur at the federal, state, local, or educational levels.
The Importance of Security
It is extremely hazardous to leave data unprotected, even if its lifecycle has ended. Unapproved access may result in:
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Leaking of confidential information
There is a reason why information is classified. It can be highly harmful to provide sensitive information to other organisations or unapproved employees.
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Violations of privacy
A breach of privacy could result in identity theft, legal action, and a tarnished reputation for the government.
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Information tampering
In the present era, false and misleading information is more and more common, and it is much simpler to disseminate when it is based on reliable sources.
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Failure of service
Your company could be rendered inoperable by system-wide shutdowns or decreased services as a result of contaminated, missing, or compromised data.
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Compliance
Most government organizations are subject to tight restrictions, and they must abide by rules governing data security or face expensive investigations.
Risk to Government Data
When government data is not sanitized from end-of-life data storage devices, it frequently remains susceptible in addition to posing a risk to the data and increasing expenses in active contexts. Here are a few instances.
Governmental sales
When outdated computer hardware is sold off by some organizations, data fragments are accidentally exposed to the buyer.
Ineffective Archival
Data archival is a crucial component of the data lifecycle, particularly for governmental organizations. But once the information is archived, it might remain available for longer than intended and is frequently forgotten.
Inappropriate Disposal
Many pieces of information are just improperly discarded. It’s unsafe for private organisations to throw away a hard drive without sanitising. It’s plain risky for government entities who are always under attack.
Employee Negligence
When an employee quits their employment with the company and the correct erasure procedures are not followed, data security is put at risk.
When Deleted Means Nothing
Many people believe that once a file is deleted, it cannot be recovered. However, incorrectly erased data can be quickly recovered through forensic data recovery.
- Your operating system will simply erase the address to the location of the data after deleting a file or folder; it won’t delete the data itself. Direct reading from the disc enables file recovery.
- Degaussing the hard disc will partially wipe the data from it, however by examining residual weak magnetic fields, the data may occasionally be restored. Additionally, it is incompatible with current solid-state drives (SSDs).
- After shredding an SSD, data may be recoverable if the memory chips are still in tact. This is similar to how shredded paper may be rebuilt. Shred size must decrease as data storage gets smaller.
Senseless Physical destruction
Physical destruction, when done properly, is a valid method of preventing government data from being directly leaked from decommissioned drives and devices. Such destruction of functional IT equipment comes at a very high cost, though, in a sector that is held accountable for how it spends public dollars.
Costs of destruction
There is a fee for that service, regardless of the type of destruction used—shredding, degaussing, incinerating, etc.
Costs of replacement
New equipment is required for every device or drive that is destroyed.
Environmental expenses.
The bulk of computer hardware and components are not recyclable, and record volumes of e-waste are still being dumped in landfills. In addition, the demand for new replacement materials necessitates the use of more mining and manufacturing techniques.
Risk in the custody chain.
Anytime data exits a secure setting, it becomes vulnerable. Once equipment is retired, both internal and external dangers must be carefully avoided. A local government had to review its device retirement procedures for enhanced security after hard drives that were supposed to be destroyed went missing in one instance.
Why Do Organisations Pick BitRaser Drive Eraser for Government Data?
It has been repeatedly demonstrated that BitRaser Drive Eraser renders data unrecoverable and complies with strict government data protection laws.
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It is economical
Because BitRaser doesn’t need expensive equipment and lets you recycle hard drives, agencies have more money to work with.
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Ecologically sound
By eliminating the need to degauss or shred the hard drive, BitRaser relieves the pressure on our landfills and reduces the risk of heavy metal contamination.
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It is responsible
BitRaser offers a clear audit trail to assist organisations with stringent reporting obligations.
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It is safe
Industry best practises are tested for in BitRaser as well as its internal development processes.
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It is in accordance
In contrast to other technologies, BitRaser enables you to adhere to a number of government data erasing requirements or standards, such as:
- DoD 5220.22-M
- NIST 800-88
Numerous international certifications confirm to the efficacy of BitRaser data erasure technologies. Let us assist your government agency in demonstrating adherence to your IT security guidelines, as well as any applicable laws, regulations, and standards.
