Hard drive destruction: The do’s and don’ts for businesses

Do: Always back up your data first

Before starting any hard drive data destruction process, make sure to back up your files. Losing valuable company data can have serious consequences.

Create encrypted backups and store them securely and following GDPR compliance. Either on physical media or in the cloud.

Do: Use a certified hard drive destruction service

Data destruction should always be handled by professionals. Partner with a professional company that specialises in certified hard drive destruction, with recognised certifications such as WEEELABEX.

This ensures compliance with legal and environmental standards. It also guarantees that your data is destroyed securely and responsibly.

Do: Choose a provider with the right certifications

Your data destruction partner should be fully certified. Look for companies with recognised credentials like Blancco and other certifications and licences that prove compliance with international security and data privacy standards.

Don’t: Throw away old hardware

Never throw away old hard drives. It poses a serious security risk and is harmful to the environment. Even non-functioning drives can be recovered by malicious parties. Old hardware still holds value.

Consider compliant data wiping and donating devices to a charity, such as IT Donations, or using ITAD buy-back schemes to maximise return.

Learn more about disposing of old hardware in this article.

Don’t: Attempt to destroy drives yourself

Trying to destroy hard drives manually may seem like a cost-saving option. But it isn’t compliant; it will not pass an audit. Drilling, smashing or soaking drives will not guarantee data removal. In fact, it could leave sensitive files accessible.

Professional hard drive shredding should be embedded in organisational policy. For example, in the financial, healthcare, and government sectors, they often require shredding as there is zero tolerance for data leakage.

Don’t: Give away or sell without data erasure

Avoid giving away or selling hardware. Even if the device looks clean, data can often be recovered. Selling old drives without proper erasure puts your business at risk of data breaches and regulatory violations. Most professional ITAD providers offer buy-back services. This is always the best option for resale.

If you need certified on-site options, consider on-site destruction services, which allow you to witness the destruction at your own location.

SSD: Understand the different destruction methods

If your business uses SSDs, it’s important to know that these drives require a different approach to traditional hard drives. Standard wiping or physical damage is often not enough to securely erase data from solid-state storage.

For complete data protection, it’s best to use professional solid-state disk destruction services. Certified providers use specialised equipment to ensure all data is permanently destroyed, meeting the highest security standards.

Protect your business with secure hard drive destruction

Disposing of old drives is more than a technical task; it’s a data security priority.

Do:

1. Back up your data
2. Use certified providers like those with WEEELABEX or Blancco certifications
3. Choose proper destruction methods for each drive type
4. When policy allows, look into buy-back or donation options

Don’t:

1. Throw away, sell, or give away hardware
2. Try to destroy them yourself

Choosing secure hard drive destruction helps prevent data breaches, protects your reputation, and keeps your business compliant.