FAQ

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CD/DVD Optical Discs

  • Q: Do I receive any “proof” my media has been destroyed?
    A: Yes. You receive a “Certificate of Destruction” which transfers liability of your information to us. We take responsibility of your sensitive information.
  • Q: This seems serious. Are there any pending laws which may require end users like me to use a “grinding” technology such as yours to safeguard information which may fall into the hands of criminals?
    A: Preliminary groundwork is now in place. The National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) in September of 2006,adopted at the recommendation of our founder, Dr. Roger Hutchison, a grinding technology as the number one recommended method to dispose of optical media. This can be found in NIST SP 800-88 ( http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-88/NISTSP800-88_rev1.pdf) on bottom of page 21. We feel very strongly that this forms the basis for specific destruction legislation to fill gaps in laws like the Health Insurance Portability Accounting Act (HIPAA), Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA), Sarbanes-Oxley and others.
  • Q: I now understand that now data still remains on broken or shredded discs, but are there any other benefits of using Digital Data Destruction?
    A: The clear disc which remains post data removal is recycled, unlike shredded discs which are dumped in our nations’ landfills. Our destruction methods are Green.
  • Q: Can’t I just break the disc in half and throw it away? Now it can’t be read or be put in my computer and used again.
    A: The capacity of a typical CD is approximately 300,000 pages of data. Even if you break the disc in half, 300,000 pages of data potentially exist in 2 halves. Non-contemporary methods do exist to read data from broken or shredded CD or DVD media.
  • Q: What is “Digital Data Destruction when it comes to CD or DVD discs?”
    A: Digital data destruction is the secure, safe,and 100 % permanent removal of information from optical and other forms of media. We use a patented grinding process to remove the information layer. Optical media includes CD (compact disc) and DVD (digital versatile disc or digital videodisc).

Flash Media

  • Q: Do I receive any “proof” my media has been destroyed?
    A: Yes. You receive a “Certificate of Destruction” which transfers liability of your information to us. We take responsibility of your sensitive information.
  • Q: How do you destroy the information on my Flash Drive?
    A: The flash drive is put through a rotary knife mill and ground to course material size if 5mm or less.
  • Q: What is “Digital Data Destruction” when it comes to Flash Media or Memory Sticks?
    A: Digital data destruction is the secure, safe,and 100 % permanent destruction of information from the flash drive.

Hard Disk Drives (HDD)

  • Q: What do you do with my Hard Drive after you degauss and destroy all the information?
    A: We disassemble the hard drive into components that companies which recycle will accept. We put nothing into a “landfill” but recycle the component parts.
  • Q: I took my hard drive out of my old computer and I am afraid to throw it away. Do you destroy hard disk drives?
    A: Yes. Hard Disk Drives (HDD) have data destroyed using a rare-earth magnetic degaussing process. We then disassemble the HDD into components accepted by recycling companies.
  • Q: What is “Digital Data Destruction” when it comes to Hard Disk Drives (HDD)?
    A. Digital data destruction is the secure, safe,and 100 % permanent removal of information from HDD and other forms of media.

Magnetic Tape Media

  • Q: Do I receive any “proof” my media has been destroyed?
    A: Yes. You receive a “Certificate of Destruction” which transfers liability of your information to us. We take responsibility of your sensitive information.
  • Q: I work for a Hospital, do you destroy Magnetic Tapes?
    A: Yes. Magnetic Tapes have data destroyed using a rare-earth magnetic degaussing process. We then recycle the tape.
  • Q: What is “Digital Data Destruction” when it comes to Magnetic Tape Media?
    A: Digital data destruction is the secure, safe,and 100 % permanent removal of information from your tape media.

The Paper Paradigm

  • Q. Paper-based information is routinely destroyed via the shredding model. Why shouldn’t this model be used for destruction of electronic information?
    A. This model is antiquated and dangerous as it applies to the various types of media containing electronic data. This "paper paradigm" reveals the need for a national standard identifying Best Safe Practices for electronic data destruction.