- HSM
- Shredding
- Other
- Information about data protection
- Data carriers
- Electronic data carriers
Destroying data securely - Electronic data carriers
Electronic data carriers include, for example, USB flash drives, chip cards, solid-state drives (SSDs), flash memory devices, memory cards from digital cameras, and digital end devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs. These data carriers are also subject to ISO/IEC 21964 (DIN 66399). This means that the personal data stored on these media must be destroyed in compliance with data protection regulations.
Deleting data on USB sticks
If you want to delete personal or other sensitive data on a USB stick, it can be removed from the storage medium. However, it is not sufficient just to delete the data on the USB stick to permanently and irretrievably destroy it. Recovery of the deleted data on a USB stick data carrier is possible at any time. The same applies to optical data carriers and hard drives.
To delete data irrevocably, the entire storage medium as such must therefore be destroyed.
Destroying USB sticks
If you decide to destroy the data on a USB stick yourself, for instance with the help of a hammer, it should be noted that if the data are not destroyed sufficiently, it may still be possible to read them after the stick has been damaged. Furthermore, destroying USB sticks yourself bears a high risk of injury, e.g. from flying fragments.
Destroying chip cards
To destroy the data on a chip card, the card can be cut or scratched, just like magnetic cards (see also Destroying data securely - magnetic data carriers). However, even this is not sufficient to prevent the data being viewed and read. Here too, the name and verification number remain visible, so that damage can still be done if the card falls into the wrong hands. Even scratching the chip does not always lead to complete destruction and illegibility. If the data is not destroyed professionally, there is a risk that the data can be recovered and thus be read.
Secure destruction of electronic data media
In order to destroy data on electronic data carriers such as USB flash drives or chip cards in a way that makes recovery impossible, it is advisable to have the data carrier itself professionally destroyed. For this purpose, the use of professional media shredders such as an HSM StoreEx device is recommended for this. These destroy electronic data carriers into tiny particles, making data recovery impossible. Incidentally, HSM StoreEx HDS series digital data media shredders can even shred mobile phones and digital end devices (without battery/rechargeable battery only). This ensures secure and data protection-compliant data destruction.
However, depending on their features, modern document shredders are already capable of destroying electronic data carriers.
When destroying electronic data carriers, make sure that the destruction level is sufficient for the security level required to protect your data.
When shredding electronic data carriers, ensure that they are disposed of correctly. According to the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, chip cards are electrical appliances and must not be disposed of in household waste.
Find the right HSM shredder for your requirements:
