Did you know that in the first half of 2021, there were a staggering 1,767 cases of publicly reported data breaches? These incidents, in turn, led to the exposure of an estimated 18.8 billion records.
Ransomware was among the primary breaching methods in those attacks. However, breaches also happen due to improper handling of data storage devices.
The good news is that data erasure software can help prevent such data-related crimes.
This guide covers the top benefits of using specialized software to erase data, so be sure to read on.
More Secure Way to Wipe Data
Data erasure software destroys data contained in a storage medium. It does so by overwriting the actual contents of the drive. In that way, it makes it impossible to perform data recovery.
That sets it apart from data deletion, which only removes data from a directory. That means only the deleted data file disappears from the directory. However, the information itself contained by the file remains in the storage medium.
With that said, use data erasure software before disposing of storage media. That’s especially important if you plan to give away or recycle the storage devices. If you only delete the files they contain, you’re giving hackers a way to recover the data.
Helps Reduce Risks of Legal Liabilities
If you’re a business owner, the law may hold you liable if your customers’ data fall into the wrong hands due to a breach. For example, a client can sue you for negligence if you didn’t do enough to protect their information. That, in turn, can happen if you throw out storage media without erasing their data contents.
So, protect your clients and reputation by wiping storage media before discarding them.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Data erasure software works on hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and USBs. Moreover, you can use it to wipe data off mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. In addition, the folks at Certus Software say that some programs can erase data remotely.
So, no matter what device you need to wipe the contents off, data erasure software has you covered.
Keeps Data Storage Devices Intact
Media destruction is one of the methods for data destruction. It involves shredding or incinerating the data storage media themselves. Since this destroys the actual containers, the data they hold becomes irrecoverable.
However, it doesn’t make sense to destroy storage media that you can still use. Besides, if you do this every time you need to wipe data, you’ll only add to the growing pile of electronic waste. So you know, the world already generates over 50 million tons of e-waste a year, so you don’t want to contribute more.
Fortunately, you don’t have to, so long as you use data wiping software. After all, such programs only overwrite data; they don’t destroy the actual media. So, that means you can still use the storage devices even after you’ve erased their contents.
Data Erasure Software Protects Sensitive Information
There you have it, some of the top benefits of using data erasure software. Now, you know that it can help protect not only digital data but your reputation, too. So, always use one to sanitize your storage media, especially those you’re about to discard.
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