Opportunities for Data Wiping

You’ve heard it discussed, you’ve read about it in industry publications,you may even have seen it happen: Somebody boots up a freshly refurbished used computer, pokes around a bit, and discovers data on the drive.

What is data wiping?

Data wiping, also known as data erasure or data sanitization, is the process of permanently deleting data from a storage device so that it cannot be recovered or accessed again.

When data is deleted from a storage device, such as a hard drive or a USB drive, it is not actually removed from the device. Instead, the operating system or file system simply marks the space occupied by the data as "available" for new data to be written over it. This means that the deleted data can potentially be recovered using specialized software or techniques.

Data wiping goes beyond simple deletion by overwriting the data multiple times with random patterns of 1s and 0s. This process effectively destroys the original data and makes it extremely difficult or impossible to recover. Data wiping is typically used by organizations and individuals who want to securely dispose of sensitive or confidential data, such as financial information, medical records, or personal identifying information (PII).

Why is data wiping important?

Data wiping is important for several reasons:

1. Security: One of the main reasons for data wiping is to ensure that sensitive or confidential information is not accessible to unauthorized individuals. Data that is not properly wiped can be recovered by hackers or other malicious actors, who may use it for identity theft, financial fraud, or other illegal activities.
2. Compliance: Many industries, such as healthcare and finance, have strict regulations regarding data privacy and security. Data wiping can help organizations comply with these regulations and avoid potential legal and financial penalties.
3. Reuse: When devices are retired or repurposed, data wiping ensures that the previous data does not interfere with the new use of the device. This is especially important for devices that contain proprietary or confidential information.
4. Environmental impact: Proper data wiping can also have environmental benefits by allowing for secure disposal or reuse of electronic devices, which reduces electronic waste and minimizes the use of natural resources.

Overall, data wiping is an important security measure that helps protect sensitive information and mitigate potential risks associated with data breaches or unauthorised access to information.

Is data wiping expensive?

The cost of data wiping can vary depending on several factors, including the type and size of the storage device, the level of security required, and the method used for data wiping.

For individuals and small businesses, there are many free or low-cost data wiping software tools available that can be used to wipe data from hard drives, USB drives, and other storage devices. These tools are often user-friendly and require minimal technical knowledge to operate.

For larger organizations, the cost of data wiping can be higher, as it may involve specialized hardware or software, or the use of a third-party service provider. The cost may also be higher if the data needs to be wiped from multiple devices or if a higher level of security is required.

However, the cost of data wiping should be compared to the potential cost of a data breach or unauthorized access to sensitive information, which can be significantly higher in terms of financial and reputational damage. In the long run, investing in proper data wiping can save organizations from potential legal and financial penalties, as well as protect their customers' and employees' sensitive information.

Who are the main software providers for data wiping?

There are several software providers for data wiping, including:

1. Blancco : Blancco provides a range of data erasure software for different devices and platforms, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and servers. Their software is certified by various regulatory bodies, including ADISA, TUV, and CESG.
2. Secure Erase : Secure Erase is an open-source data wiping software that can be used to securely erase data from hard drives and solid-state drives (SSDs). It supports multiple erasure methods, including the Department of Defense (DoD) 5220.22-M standard.
3. Eraser : Eraser is another open-source data wiping software that can be used to securely erase data from hard drives, USB drives, and other storage devices. It supports multiple erasure methods, including the Gutmann method and the DoD 5220.22-M standard.
4. CCleaner : CCleaner is a popular system optimization and privacy tool that also includes a data wiping feature. It can be used to securely erase data from hard drives, USB drives, and other storage devices.
5. DBAN : DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) is a free and open-source data wiping software that can be used to securely erase data from hard drives and other storage devices. It supports multiple erasure methods, including the DoD 5220.22-M standard and the Gutmann method.

These are just a few examples of the many data wiping software providers available. When selecting a data wiping software, it is important to consider factors such as ease of use, erasure methods supported, compliance with regulatory standards, and the level of technical support provided.

Are jobs available in the data wiping market?

Yes, there are jobs available in the data wiping market. As data security and privacy become increasingly important for organizations, there is a growing demand for professionals who can manage and implement secure data wiping practices.

Some of the job roles in the data wiping market include:

1. Data Security Analyst: Data security analysts are responsible for developing and implementing data security policies and procedures, including data wiping practices. They also monitor and assess the effectiveness of these policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
2. IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Specialist: ITAD specialists are responsible for managing the secure disposal of IT assets, including wiping data from hard drives and other storage devices. They also ensure that assets are properly recycled or disposed of to minimize environmental impact.
3. Data Recovery Specialist: Data recovery specialists are responsible for recovering data that has been accidentally or intentionally deleted from storage devices. They may also be involved in forensic investigations and recovery of data from devices involved in legal cases.
4. Compliance Manager: Compliance managers are responsible for ensuring that organizations comply with data security and privacy regulations, including those related to data wiping. They develop policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements and ensure that employees and systems are following these policies.

Overall, the data wiping market presents career opportunities for professionals with a background in data security, IT asset management, compliance, or related fields. As organizations continue to prioritize data security and privacy, the demand for skilled professionals in this area is expected to grow.

Peter Auwerx, chatting with chatGPT