How can you know if data is really gone? Unfortunately, “deleting” it on a device doesn’t actually get rid of it; it just removes it from easy access. In a world where data security is vital for consumer protection, properly erasing data is a necessity. Fortunately, degaussing is one of the most effective methods for ensuring complete data erasure on magnetic media. This guide explains what degaussing is, how it works, and why businesses choose CI Information Management to do it right.
What is Degaussing and How Does it Work?
To put it plainly, degaussing is the process of demagnetizing a storage device to erase the data stored on it permanently.
Essentially, magnetic media, such as hard disk drives or floppy disks, store information using magnetic particles present on the surface of the storage media. These particles are organized in a specific orientation, allowing us to access that information freely.
A degausser is a powerful machine that applies a strong magnetic field to scramble those magnetic particles, making them no longer accessible or readable. When this happens, the original data is irreversibly erased, and the device itself is no longer operable.
Compared to “deleting” or “reformatting” data, which only removes file access paths, degaussing actually wipes out the magnetic structure of the data itself. Let us put this as a visual.
Imagine you have a printed book in your hands. “Deleting” the book would be like putting it in a safe and throwing away the key. The book is still readable, and someone proficient at cracking safes could get in to retrieve it. Degaussing, on the other hand, is like taking a permanent black marker to every word in the book, making it completely unreadable even if you are holding it in your hands.
Curious what the process looks like in action? See degaussing performed in our video.
Pros and Cons of Degaussing
Degaussing is a secure way to destroy some types of data; let’s compare the pros and cons of this technique.
Pros of Degaussing:
The first benefit of degaussing is that it is an instant and total data erasure method. As soon as the media goes through the machine, it is completely inoperable with no residual data left behind that could be hacked. Therefore, it eliminates the need for further overwriting or physical destruction.
Second, degaussing is approved by the NSA (National Security Agency) and the DOD (Department of Defense), which means it meets federal government standards for secure data sanitization. If your business falls under the regulations of either of these governing bodies, you have a stamp of approval.
Third, when used efficiently, it is an ideal method for companies with high volumes of magnetic media that need to be destroyed. It can be a quick way to secure data both on- and off-site.
Cons of Degaussing:
The primary con of degaussing is that it is only available for magnetic media. Therefore, it will not work on solid state drives (SSDs), optical media (CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray), USB flash drives, SD cards, and some mobile phones or tablets. If your business needs to erase data on these types of media, it will need to proceed to physical destruction methods.
While debatable, another con to be considered is that the device will be inoperable. Therefore, if you were hoping to reuse or resell the device, this would not be an ideal solution.
Lastly, depending on the degaussing machine, it may require further verification that the data was actually scrubbed. Unless the machine has built-in verification (like the model we use at CI Information Management), you must manually validate the results. Since many lower-grade degaussing machines don’t offer this feature, it can introduce extra costs and further risk of data exposure.
What’s an Alternative to Degassing
If degaussing is not considered an acceptable form of data erasure, or if you have non-magnetic media, an alternative would be media destruction. Media destruction is the process of physically shredding the device.
Degaussing with CI Information Management
If you are an individual or business in the Tri-Cities area interested in degaussing as a way to destroy your media, we at CI Information Management are here to provide a secure path.
At CI Information Management, we use the Model EMP1000-HS degausser. Approved by the NSA, this model includes built-in verification, ensuring every degauss is successful.
When using CI Information Management as your degaussing service, you benefit from a secure chain of custody that is NAID AAA Certified, ensuring every job includes complete documentation and a Certificate of Destruction.
What’s the next step? We recommend clarifying if degaussing is the right solution for your media needs. We are more than happy to provide a free consultation or a media audit to determine whether degaussing, shredding, or a combination is best. Contact CI Information Management to secure the safety of your data erasure today!
