What is the difference between data wiping and data destruction?

Data wiping 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.

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.

Can I destroy data myself?

Yes, in theory, you can destroy data yourself. But the big question is: are you doing it properly? Many companies think that simply formatting a hard drive or physically damaging a data carrier is sufficient. Unfortunately, that is a dangerous misconception. Smart hackers and data experts can still retrieve sensitive business information, even from drives that appear to be completely unusable.

Which data carriers can I have destroyed?

At Circular IT group, we not only destroy regular and external hard drives, but also a wide range of other used data carriers. These include SSDs, tapes, smartphones, PDAs and other mobile devices. You can also come to us for the secure destruction of USB sticks, SD cards, magnetic tapes, ID cards and more. Curious about all the possibilities within our IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services? View our options here.

Data Destruction | Circular IT group

HomeIT Asset Disposition (ITAD)Data Destruction

Secure your business with our Destruction Services

In today’s digital age, data is as valuable as currency. And disposing of it securely is non-negotiable. Our Secure Data Destruction services go beyond ticking compliance boxes like GDPR; they’re about safeguarding your company’s reputation and intellectual property.

Seamlessly integrate secure data destruction into your lifecycle management strategy, fortifying your enterprise against potential vulnerabilities.

IT Asset Recovery

Data erasure

Data Center Decommissioning

Recycling

IT Asset Recovery

Data erasure

Data Center Decommissioning

Recycling

Why data destruction?

In today’s hyper-connected business environment, protecting sensitive data is not merely an option, it’s a necessity. While safeguarding active data is often a top priority, proper destruction of data at the end of its lifecycle is frequently overlooked.

Here’s why data destruction should be a non-negotiable aspect of your IT lifecycle management strategy:

Compliance: Avoid fines and legal woes by complying with data protection laws like GDPR
Reputation Management: Keep your brand’s image squeaky clean by eliminating risks of data breaches that erode customer trust
Intellectual Property: Protect valuable IP from theft or espionage by securely wiping old data
Value recovery: Recover value from re-usable hardware by data wiping
Sustainability: Save valuable resources by reusing wiped IT devices

Choose from two secure destruction methods, tailored to your needs:

Secure Data Wiping: On-site or Off-site

Using Blancco’s certified data erasure software, we securely wipe your data storage devices either on-site or off-site, depending on your preference and regulatory requirements. Rest easy knowing your confidential business data is permanently deleted. You’ll receive a data removal certificate, while the device remains functional and retains its value.

Physical Destruction of Data Carrier: On-site or Off-site

Using high-power shredders, we offer a fail-safe method to irreversibly destroy information from hard drives and other data storage media. This service can be conducted on-site or off-site as per your needs and regulations. Devices are physically rendered unusable, and you’ll receive a certificate of destruction.

Our services comply with standards such as WEEELABEX, DIN 66399 E5 and H5, NIST 800-88, ISO 27001 and NEN 7510.

Applications of Secure Data Destruction:

End-of-Life Strategy for IT Assets

Your IT equipment is reaching the end of its lifecycle. Ensuring all data is securely deleted is crucial to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.

Asset Repurposing or Resale

Whether reutilising hardware within your organization or selling it off, the secure data removal is not just best practice – it's legally required. Don't run the risk of a data breach.

Returning to Lease Companies

Make your end-of-life IT assets secure, maximise asset resale value and stay compliant when returning leased equipment

IT Asset Disposition

Your devices, our expertise

We help you dispose of, recycle, reuse or sell your IT equipment at the end of its lifecycle – securely and responsibly.

Request a valuation

How our data destruction 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 you want to destroy, your preferred method of destruction, and specify a date.

Or: on-site destruction

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 destruction certificates, confirming your data has been securely destroyed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between data wiping and data destruction?

Data wiping 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.
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.
Can I destroy data myself?

Yes, in theory, you can destroy data yourself. But the big question is: are you doing it properly? Many companies think that simply formatting a hard drive or physically damaging a data carrier is sufficient.

Unfortunately, that is a dangerous misconception. Smart hackers and data experts can still retrieve sensitive business information, even from drives that appear to be completely unusable.
Which data carriers can I have destroyed?

At Circular IT group, we not only destroy regular and external hard drives, but also a wide range of other used data carriers. These include SSDs, tapes, smartphones, PDAs and other mobile devices.

You can also come to us for the secure destruction of USB sticks, SD cards, magnetic tapes, ID cards and more.

Curious about all the possibilities within our IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services? View our options here.

Daan van Nieuwenhoven

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