Data Storage Security

You would like to know what level of data security was reached after the physical destruction of your hard disc (HDD)? In the following chapters you will find important references for data recovery of hard discs. Examples will help to decide which security level is the right choice for you.

Also data restoring is subject to constant technical development. New technical methods and devices make that possible. Hence we revised the reference values and recommendations for 2017 to match with state-of-the-art in data recovery technology. For highest requirements we added the new level „F“, in order to offer qualified guidance for this segment of increasing demand.

For the evaluation of all levels only the data plates and their practical degree of destruction were taken into account – the destruction of e.g. housings is not expedient for a qualified consideration.

 

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Physical Destruction Level „A“

Process:

  • Each hard disc is drilled through at least once, or is cut into at least two pieces through the middle.

Proportion of retrievable data:

  • Almost 100%.
  • Retrieval is easily done.

Recommended for:

  • Private files with low protection needs.
  • Very low data security requirements

 

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Physical Destruction Level „B“

Process:

  • Each hard disc is cut into approx. 30mm wide strips or parts.

Proportion of retrievable data:

  • Approx. 70 – 80%.
  • Retrieval is easily done using suitable laboratory equipment. Specialist knowledge necessary.

Recommended for:

  • Business data with low protection needs.
  • Private files with higher protection needs.
  • Simultaneous destruction of large quantities of hard discs (HDDs) at this level may meet the security requirements of level “C”

 

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Physical Destruction Level „C“

Process:

  • Each hard disc is shredded into particles under 300 mm²

Proportion of retrievable data:

  • Approx. 30 – 40%.
  • Retrieval is very difficult using suitable laboratory equipment. Specialist knowledge necessary, highly cost intensive

Recommended for:

  • Government authorities data with lower protection needs (E.g. NATO – Restricted NR, USA – Restricted, Germany – VS / NfD).
  • Business data with normal protection needs.
  • Banks and insurances data with low protection needs.
  • Simultaneous destruction of large quantities of hard discs (HDDs) at this level may meet the security requirements of level “D”

 

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Physical Destruction Level „D“

Process:

  • Each hard disc is shredded into particles under 30 mm²

Proportion of retrievable data:

  • Approx. 10 – 20%.
  • Retrieval is particularly difficult. Specialist knowledge necessary, no providers available on the free market.

Recommended for:

  • – Government authorities data with normal protection needs (E.g. NATO – Confidential NC, USA – Confidential, Germany – VS / Vertr.).
  • Business data with higher protection needs.
  • Banks and insurances data with normal protection needs.
  • Simultaneous destruction of large quantities of hard discs (HDDs) at this level may meet the security requirements of level “E”.

 

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Physical Destruction Level „E“

Process:

  • Each hard disc is shredded into particles under 10 mm²

Proportion of retrievable data:

  • Approx. 5%.
  • Retrieval is extremely difficult. Highly specialist knowledge necessary, no providers available on the free market.

Recommended for:

  • Government authorities data with high protection needs (E.g. NATO – Secret NS, USA – Secret, Germany – Geh. I).
  • Banks and insurances data with high protection needs.
  • Simultaneous destruction of large quantities of hard discs (HDDs) at this level may meet the security requirements of level “F”

 

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Physical Destruction Level „F“

Process:

  • Each hard disc is shredded into particles under 4 mm²

Proportion of retrievable data:

  • 0%.
  • Retrieval is extremely difficult. Expenditure endlessly high, so far no successful data recovery documented

Recommended for:

  • Government authorities data with highest protection needs (E.g. NATO – Cosmic Top Secret CTS, USA – Top secret, Germany – Str. geh. II).

 

  • You would like to receive more information?
  • You need specialists advice?
  • You want to compare different methods for hard disc data security, e.g. degaussing, software or physical destruction?
  • You need similar information for the treatment of „Flash/SSD“ data storage devices?

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