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Many businesses and institutions use digital data for their daily operations. These could include customer or client information or data for internal processes. Companies must prioritize cybersecurity to protect this data from unauthorized access, especially with the rising number of cyberattack attempts in the past year.

A critical aspect of cybersecurity is a thorough data destruction protocol. This practice, alongside other cybersecurity measures, help protect your systems and any personally identifiable information from falling into the wrong hands.

What Is Data Destruction?

Data destruction is the process of eradicating information across various formats. These formats could range from paper documents to digital files, taking into account the difference between data security and cybersecurity.

Many might believe that simply deleting a file would be enough. However, without the proper data destruction methods, deleted files could quickly be recovered and accessed by unauthorized parties.

Proper data destruction procedures eliminate any data to the point that they are no longer accessible to anyone. This security measure protects individuals and organizations from data breaches and identity theft.

This practice ensures that your company remains trustworthy and secure, especially in the eyes of government audits and your clientele.

What Data Destruction Methods Help in Cybersecurity?

Data destruction is an umbrella term for more specific processes of destroying physical and digital data. We’ve gathered three data destruction methods below for better cybersecurity practices.

Overwriting a storage device

Also known as data wiping, overwriting works on undamaged and writable storage media. It involves writing new data over the old data already registered onto the device, rendering it unreadable.

The overwriting process could also be done several times. This precaution ensures that the sensitive data you wish to destroy remains unreadable.

Degaussing

Degaussing is a data destruction method that uses magnets to destroy information from magnetic storage devices.

Degaussers allow you to emit a controlled magnetic field that will eliminate data almost instantaneously. This ensures that any sensitive information is unreadable and unrecoverable.

It is most effective on hard drives and tapes but not as much on non-magnetic storage media like flash drives or solid state drives.

Physical Destruction

As the name suggests, this method involves physically destroying your storage devices, such as computer equipment, hard drives, laptops, mobile devices, etc.

This method could be done through melting, puncturing, shredding, or disintegrating.

What Cybersecurity Risks Does Data Destruction Address?

Cyberattacks often take advantage of weaknesses in your operating systems and prey on sensitive information.

Destroying sensitive data prevents hackers and other cybercriminals from accessing sensitive data. Below are some of the vulnerabilities that data destruction could help you address:

• Ransomware attacks
• Malware attacks
• Phishing
• Identity theft
• Credit card fraud
• Intellectual property theft

The competitive taxes and regulations in Oakville are expected to attract more investors and businesses to set up shop in the city. There are already over 8,000 businesses thriving there across various sectors.

As the city slowly sheds its small-town feel, you might want to find reliable document destruction in Oakville to help your cybersecurity efforts.

Pro Tip "While groups may spend a lot of money protecting their operational data, they often overlook how static data is improperly secured or destroyed. Therefore, ensuring that drives are purged of all data correctly before disposal is very important.”

Enhance Your Cyber Security With Absolute Destruction

Secure cybersecurity protocols help protect your business or organization from threats to your data and computer systems.

Working with an experienced document destruction company like Absolute Destruction will help you comply with government regulations while ensuring organization and client protection.

Do you wish to upgrade your security system? Reach out to Absolute Destruction. We offer professional shredders and other data destruction methods to ensure the security of homes or businesses.

FAQs on the Role that Data Destruction Plays in Cybersecurity

1. What should organizations consider when choosing how to destroy data?

You need to consider the type of storage devices you have, as it will determine which method is most suitable. Aside from this, you also need to think about selecting an experienced data destruction service.

2. How does data destruction help an organization?

Data destruction helps an organization protect sensitive data from data breaches and other cyberattacks. It also allows groups to comply with government regulations on data security.

3. Should destroying data be a high priority in an organization?

Yes. Not only does it protect your customers and clients, but also your organization itself.