The Risks of Allowing Data-Bearing Devices to Leave Your Site
One of the most critical aspects of data security is ensuring that data-bearing devices (DBDs) are properly managed and destroyed within the confines of your organization. Allowing DBDs to leave the site can violate federal regulations and expose your organization to significant cyber risks. Compliance with NIST regulations and GDPR requires stringent control over the […]
The Importance of Auditing Your Data Destruction Process
Regular audits of your data destruction processes are critical to ensure compliance with industry standards such as NIST and ISO. Both internal and external audits provide an objective evaluation of your methods, helping to identify and mitigate risks associated with end-of-life data-bearing devices (DBDs). Why Regular Audits Matter: Auditing your data destruction process ensures that […]
The Importance of Reconciliation in Data Destruction Compliance
One of the critical aspects of data destruction compliance is the ability to account for every data-bearing device (DBD). Reconciliation documents are essential to prove that 100% of DBDs have been properly destroyed. This step ensures that no devices are lost, stolen, or improperly handled, thereby safeguarding sensitive information. Why Reconciliation Documents Matter:Ensuring that your […]
Ensuring Compliance with NIST MP-6(1) for Effective Data Destruction
Data destruction is a critical part of maintaining data security, but it’s not just about the final act of destruction. Compliance with NIST MP-6(1) involves a comprehensive approach that includes reviewing, approving, tracking, documenting, and verifying every step of the process. This ensures that every data-bearing device (DBD) is accounted for and properly destroyed. Why […]
Ensuring Your Data Destruction Vendor is Cybersecurity Framework Compliant
When selecting a data destruction vendor, it’s not just about their ability to destroy data-bearing devices (DBDs). Ensuring that they are compliant with the appropriate cybersecurity frameworks is essential. This compliance extends to their supply chain, ensuring that every aspect of the data destruction process adheres to stringent standards like NIST 800-88 and the NIST […]
The Critical Role of Onsite Data Destruction and Proper Certification
Ensuring the security of end-of-life data-bearing devices (DBDs) involves more than just physically destroying the hardware. For true compliance with NIST 800-88 standards, organizations must conduct data destruction onsite, using both a sanitizer and a verifier, and maintain proper documentation through a Certificate of Destruction (COD). Why Onsite Data Destruction and Proper Certification Matter:Proper onsite […]
The Importance of Training and Verification in Data Destruction Compliance
When it comes to data destruction, merely having the right tools is not enough. Ensuring that your organization’s data destruction methods comply with NSA and NIST standards requires thorough training, precise execution, and diligent verification. This is especially critical for data-bearing devices (DBDs) containing sensitive or classified information. Why Training and Verification Matter Proper training, […]
The Importance of Complying with NIST 800-88 for Data Destruction
Ensuring compliance with NIST 800-88 for data destruction is not just a best practice; it’s a necessity in today’s data-driven world.
Protecting your brand: Stolen data from drives and media can hurt you
It’s important to have a system in place to destroy sensitive data onsite as soon as a device is retired or a hard drive fails. Drives filled with sensitive data that are left in accessible areas of a business are vulnerable to disgruntled employees as well as visitors.
IT Asset Decomissioning Policies: 7 Questions You Need to Ask
A decommissioning policy is important for many reasons. It helps you maintain compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. It creates an efficient process for your IT department, and most importantly it can save you from a costly data breach. Creating the policy can be difficult as there are many aspects that must be taken into consideration. Below are 7 things that should be considered when you are defining your company’s decommissioning policy: