Technician working on a computer holding a broken hard driveYou understand the importance of destroying outdated paper documents and use a shredding service to protect your hard copy records from unauthorized access and theft. But what about the unwanted, old, and obsolete backup tapes and hard drives stuffed into boxes and closets and cluttered on server room shelves? If you’re not destroying them as well, your organization isn’t truly safe. In this blog, we discuss five reasons to destroy your unwanted backup media:

1. Security

Many companies assume a “wiped” hard drive can be sold, refurbished, or tossed in the trash. Nothing is further from the truth. A recent study by the National Association of Information Destruction (NAID) found that 40 percent of used electronic devices sold on the secondhand market contained personally identifiable information (PII). Destroying unwanted backup tapes and hard drives ensures data disappears. With a hard drive and media shredding service, a specialized shredder applies 20,000 lbs. of conical force to your media. This massive force crushes your hard disk’s spindles, forming ripples in the platters, and cutting them into tiny pieces.

2. Compliance

Each of the following laws require organizations to destroy personal, financial, and medical records, whether in a hard copy or electronic format:

  • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA)
  • The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

Failure to dispose of personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) can result in monetary penalties or criminal prosecution. Destroying unwanted backup media helps your organization comply with these federal regulations as well as local and state privacy laws.

3. Customer Trust

In the wake of all the recent high-profile corporate data breaches, your customers’ security awareness has never been higher. They expect you to not only keep track of their data, but protect it from information thieves. Destroying unwanted tapes and hard drives proves you’re doing everything you can to reduce your client’s digital footprint and keep their data secure.

4. Brand Protection

You’ve worked hard to build your corporate brand, but one high-profile breach can inflict long-term damage on your business reputation. Destroying expired hard drives and old backup tapes reinforces a positive view of your brand.

5. Cost Savings

Hard drives and tapes may be small, but they still take up space. And when you’re paying a premium for office space, every square inch matters. Destroying unwanted backup media makes room for people, products and services that generate revenue for your business.

With these benefits in mind, consider investing in a hard drive and media shredding service today.

Richards & Richards offers NAID AAA Certified hard drive and media shredding services for businesses throughout Nashville. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.