What is the difference between data erasure and data destruction?

Data erasure involves erasing data from the data carrier by means of software. This is the most circular option because the data carrier is reusable after this. Since the data is not recoverable, you can reuse or sell the data carrier itself. In data destruction, a data carrier is physically destroyed by the shredder. As a result, the data cannot be recovered, but the data carrier is also no longer usable.

Why is data erasure important for businesses?

Data erasure is critical for businesses to protect sensitive information and maintain cybersecurity. Here’s why: Ensures compliance with data protection laws like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA Prevents data breaches and reduces the risk of costly cyber attacks Safeguards company and customer data from unauthorized access Allows safe disposal or resale of IT assets without data leakage Protects brand reputation by demonstrating commitment to data security Mitigates legal and financial risks associated with data mishandling Supports environmental sustainability through proper e-waste management Enables secure cloud migrations and data center decommissioning Maintains customer trust and loyalty through responsible data practices

What happens to the data on my IT equipment when I sell it to you?

We understand that the data on your IT equipment is crucial, and you want to be certain that it’s securely wiped when you sell it to us. That’s why we follow a strict process to ensure that all your data is permanently deleted before we proceed with the equipment. Every piece of equipment is carefully logged first, giving you continuous insight into the status of your IT equipment’s processing. You’ll receive clear reports and the necessary deletion certificates at the end. Here’s how it works: Secure data wiping: As soon as we receive your IT equipment or start working on-site, the data is always erased first, following high industry standards. We use advanced software from Blancco to ensure that all data is permanently erased and cannot be recovered. Data deletion certificate: We always provide you with a data deletion certificate. This document confirms that all data on your devices has been successfully and securely wiped. Physical destruction (if necessary): In some cases, such as when dealing with highly sensitive information, physical destruction of the storage media may be preferred. This means the hard drive or SSD is completely destroyed, ensuring the data is absolutely irretrievable. Please note: This will, of course, negatively impact the residual value of your equipment. Compliance with legislation: Our data wiping process complies with relevant laws and regulations, such as the GDPR in Europe, ensuring that your privacy and security are fully protected. We collect the hardware using our own transport, and our service centres, where the equipment is stored, are heavily secured. This entire process ensures that you can sell your IT equipment to us with peace of mind, knowing that your data is in safe hands and will never fall into the wrong hands.

Data erasure services | Guaranteed secure data removal

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Secure data erasure services, don’t risk a data breach!

A minor data breach can have catastrophic consequences for your organisation. Regulatory fines, damaged reputations and lawsuits are just a few of the potential repercussions.

Traditional data erasing methods like formatting simply aren’t secure enough.

Our secure data wiping services with Blancco ensure complete data removal, meeting the strictest industry compliance standards and giving you peace of mind.

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What is data erasure?

Data erasure is the process of permanently erasing all data from a storage device.

This ensures that no unauthorized person can recover the data, even with sophisticated data recovery tools.

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Our data erasure services:

Data erasure: (software)

Securely erase data from hard drives, SSDs and other storage devices using Blancco’s industry standard software.

Data destruction: (physical)

For maximum security, we offer physical data destruction services for all kind of data storage devices.

Data erasure for mobile devices:

Ensure your company phones and tablets are also completely wiped clean before disposal.

Custom erasure solutions:

We can develop a customized data destruction plan to meet your specific requirements.

Why choose Circular IT group for secure data removal?

We go beyond simply erasing data. CITg is committed to provide the most secure, environmentally responsible and data-centric regulatory compliant data removal solutions available.

Guaranteed data removal: We use Blancco industry-leading data wiping methods that meet or exceed international data security standards.
Compliance expertise: Our services, based om more than 30 years of experience, ensure compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
Global covarage: with our European service centers and our partners we deliver data wiping services around the whole world.
Fast and efficient: Our data destruction processes are quick and efficient, minimizing downtime for your business.
Peace of mind: With CITg, you can rest assured that your data is truly erased and permanently protected.

See our certications page.

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Why data erasure?

Prevent data breaches:

Protect your company from the financial and reputational damage of a data breach.

Reduce data liability:

Minimize your risk of non-compliance with data privacy regulations.

Safeguard information:

Ensure confidential business data and customer information are permanently removed.

Promote sustainability:

Responsible data wiping helps reduce e-waste by allowing for safe device reuse.

How our data erasure process works:

Call +31 (0) 88 – 990 7500 or fill in the form below to get started.

Make an appointment

Share the specifics about the data carriers you want to erase, your preferred method of destruction and specify a date.

Or: on-site erasure

We’ll come to you and handle the data destruction right there.

Or: pick-up and transport

We pick up your hardware with our own secure transport and take it to our service centre.

Data destruction

Per our agreement, we’ll either securely erase or physically shred your data, making it unrecoverable.

Reporting and certificates

You’ll receive detailed reports and data removal certificates, confirming your data has been securely destroyed.

Paul McHugh

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FAQ:

What is data erasure?

Permanently remove data: Understanding data wiping

Data erasure, also known as data wiping, permanently removes information from storage devices in computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, servers, and beyond. This critical process safeguards data for several reasons:

Improving data security: Erasure eliminates the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information, protecting your privacy and preventing data breaches.
Regulation adherence: Data erasure ensures compliance with regulations like GDPR by guaranteeing secure disposal of personal data.
Responsible IT management: When redeploying or selling IT equipment (including donations), data wiping / erasure protects prior user information and promotes responsible asset management.
What is the difference between data erasure and data destruction?

Data erasure involves erasing data from the data carrier by means of software. This is the most circular option because the data carrier is reusable after this. Since the data is not recoverable, you can reuse or sell the data carrier itself.

In data destruction, a data carrier is physically destroyed by the shredder. As a result, the data cannot be recovered, but the data carrier is also no longer usable.
Why is data erasure important for businesses?
Data erasure is critical for businesses to protect sensitive information and maintain cybersecurity. Here’s why:
- Ensures compliance with data protection laws like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA
- Prevents data breaches and reduces the risk of costly cyber attacks
- Safeguards company and customer data from unauthorized access
- Allows safe disposal or resale of IT assets without data leakage
- Protects brand reputation by demonstrating commitment to data security
- Mitigates legal and financial risks associated with data mishandling
- Supports environmental sustainability through proper e-waste management
- Enables secure cloud migrations and data center decommissioning
- Maintains customer trust and loyalty through responsible data practices
What happens to the data on my IT equipment when I sell it to you?
We understand that the data on your IT equipment is crucial, and you want to be certain that it’s securely wiped when you sell it to us. That’s why we follow a strict process to ensure that all your data is permanently deleted before we proceed with the equipment.

Every piece of equipment is carefully logged first, giving you continuous insight into the status of your IT equipment’s processing. You’ll receive clear reports and the necessary deletion certificates at the end.

Here’s how it works:
- Secure data wiping: As soon as we receive your IT equipment or start working on-site, the data is always erased first, following high industry standards. We use advanced software from Blancco to ensure that all data is permanently erased and cannot be recovered.
- Data deletion certificate: We always provide you with a data deletion certificate. This document confirms that all data on your devices has been successfully and securely wiped.
- Physical destruction (if necessary): In some cases, such as when dealing with highly sensitive information, physical destruction of the storage media may be preferred. This means the hard drive or SSD is completely destroyed, ensuring the data is absolutely irretrievable.
Please note: This will, of course, negatively impact the residual value of your equipment.

Compliance with legislation: Our data wiping process complies with relevant laws and regulations, such as the GDPR in Europe, ensuring that your privacy and security are fully protected.

We collect the hardware using our own transport, and our service centres, where the equipment is stored, are heavily secured. This entire process ensures that you can sell your IT equipment to us with peace of mind, knowing that your data is in safe hands and will never fall into the wrong hands.