Asset and media identification
Where included in the reporting scope, equipment and available storage-media identifiers can be tied to the relevant asset record before processing begins.
Secure data erasure
Secure data erasure for business IT equipment
A documented route for supported data-bearing media, with the erasure method, processing result and any exceptions recorded at the reporting level agreed for the job.
Data security after collection
Deleting files is not the same as securely erasing storage media.
Redundant laptops, desktops, servers and storage devices may still contain business, customer or personal information after normal deletion, formatting or operating-system reset.
Secure IT Lifecycle agrees the processing route before work begins, records the outcome, and keeps failed or unsupported media visible as exceptions rather than treating them as successfully processed.
Secure processing
Erasure activity is tied back to the asset record.
Our workflow is designed to keep media identification, erasure status, exceptions and evidence connected to the equipment being processed. AssetFlow supports that operational record behind the service.
What the service can include
A clear erasure record for each supported item
The exact evidence supplied depends on the equipment, media and reporting scope agreed before processing.
Agreed erasure method
Supported functioning media can follow a software-based erasure route selected for the job, taking account of the storage type, condition, intended reuse and customer requirements.
Recorded result
The processing outcome is recorded as part of the job history so successfully processed media can be distinguished from failed, unsupported or otherwise unresolved items.
Exception handling
Media that cannot complete the agreed erasure route remains an exception and can be assessed for an alternative route rather than being silently marked as complete.
Certificate or erasure record
Where selected, the customer can receive erasure documentation referencing the relevant asset or media and the recorded processing result.
Physical destruction where required
Failed, damaged, unsupported or policy-restricted media can be assessed for an agreed physical-destruction route when software-based erasure is unsuitable.
Physical media destruction →Media considered
Data-bearing equipment across the IT estate
The first step is establishing what storage is present and whether it is suitable for the agreed software-based erasure process.
- Laptop HDDs and SSDs
- Desktop HDDs and SSDs
- Server storage
- Workstation storage
- Suitable removable storage
- Storage within supported IT equipment
Keep suitable equipment available for reuse
Where storage is functioning and supported, software-based erasure can allow an otherwise serviceable device to continue through testing, refurbishment, reuse or remarketing.
This is useful where the objective is to remove the data risk without automatically destroying reusable equipment.
Failed or unsuitable media stays visible
An erasure attempt that cannot be completed is not treated as a successful result. The item remains unresolved until an appropriate alternative route is agreed.
Where required, that may mean physical media destruction rather than further software processing.
Documented process
From collection to erasure evidence
Data erasure can operate as a standalone processing requirement or as one stage within a wider IT asset disposal project.
Scope
Agree the equipment, data-security requirements and reporting level.
Record
Identify the relevant asset and available media details.
Erase
Apply the agreed software-based route to supported functioning media.
Verify
Record the processing result and identify any exception.
Resolve
Route failed or unsuitable media according to the agreed alternative.
Report
Provide the agreed asset-level erasure or exception documentation.
Data erasure questions
What organisations usually need to know
The media type, condition, reuse objective and evidence requirement all affect the final processing route.
What types of media can be securely erased?
Supported functioning storage media may include HDDs, SSDs and suitable storage within laptops, desktops, servers and other business IT equipment. Compatibility and condition are assessed before the route is confirmed.
What happens if a drive cannot be erased?
Failed, damaged, unsupported or policy-restricted media is recorded as an exception. Where software-based erasure is unsuitable, it can be assessed for an agreed physical-destruction route.
Do you provide a certificate of data erasure?
Where included in the agreed reporting scope, a certificate or erasure record can identify the relevant asset or media, processing result and supporting references available for that job.
Can data erasure be included with an IT asset collection?
Yes. Collection, asset recording, data erasure, reuse or recycling and reporting can be scoped together as part of an IT asset disposal project.
Need secure data erasure for redundant IT?
Tell us what equipment you have, where it is located and what erasure evidence your organisation requires. We’ll assess the available processing route before anything is booked.