Certified data destruction
Certified data destruction is essential for companies that want to have data carriers securely removed. Think of hard drives, USBs, backup tapes and smartphones. Only with professional data destruction including an official certificate, you can be sure that sensitive information has really been destroyed.
What is Certified Data Destruction?
Certified data destruction means that digital data on all kinds of IT hardware and internal or external data carriers is deleted in a secure and verifiable way, according to internationally recognized standards. There are physical and software methods, each with their own certifications.
Safe and responsible methods and procedures are:
- Shredding according to DIN 66399 (physical destruction with a professional data shredder)
- Blancco or Certus software (wiping of data carriers according to NIST or DoD)
- Registration of serial numbers per carrier and detailed reporting
- Providing an official certificate of destruction after processing
Why is certified data destruction important for companies?
Certified data destruction is important for companies, institutions and organizations, because data leaks can lead to high fines and reputational damage. GDPR compliance requires that you can demonstrate what happened to old data carriers. Only a certified process by a IT data destruction company with reporting and supporting documents it provides certainty.
Companies must be able to demonstrate this to supervisors such as the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP), but also to internal auditors, customers, partners and insurers. In the event of an audit, data breach notification or privacy incident, proof of destruction may be requested. Without a certificate, you are in a weak position.
GDPR and data destruction: complying with legislation
GDPR and data destruction are inextricably linked. Companies are required to delete personal data when it is no longer needed. If it is on old devices, that data must be demonstrably and irretrievably destroyed.
AVG stands for General Data Protection Regulation. It is the Dutch name for the European privacy law: the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
E-Waste Nederland offers certified data destruction that enables you to comply with the requirements of the GDPR, including supporting documents such as serial number lists and certificates per carrier or batch.
Safe old hardware disposal
Safe old hardware disposal is a crucial part of certified data destruction. Devices such as laptops, hard drives and servers often still contain business-sensitive information. Simply throwing them away or handing them in without checking entails risks.
E-Waste Nederland ensures safe logistics, storage and processing. Old hardware is only removed after the data carriers have been irretrievably erased or destroyed.
Data destruction on location or at E-Waste Nederland in Bodegraven
Certified on-site data destruction or at E-Waste Nederland both are possible. You choose the method that best suits your situation.
On-site:
- Possible everywhere in the Netherlands
- Mobile destruction vehicle with data shredders on your site
- Direct execution under supervision
- Official destruction documents within a few days
At E-Waste Netherlands (off-site):
- Closed transport with transfer forms
- Destruction at our secure processing location in Bodegraven
- Certificate of destruction with report after processing
Which devices and data carriers do we destroy?
E-Waste Nederland specializes in the correct and certified destruction of all types of storage media, such as:
Data destruction certificate
A data destruction certificate means that you receive an official certificate for each order or device/data carrier. This includes, for example, the serial number, the method used, the date and location of destruction.
In addition to the certificate, you will often receive additional documents, such as wipe reports from Blancco, a detailed report and list of all collected and processed hardware and a credit or debit invoice. This is necessary for companies for administrative purposes, depreciation of old IT equipment, audits, insurance and GDPR accountability.
Blancco and other software methods
Blancco and other software methods for a destroy hard drive offer an alternative to physical destruction. In this case, the data on a data carrier is overwritten multiple times, making recovery impossible.
Software wiping is ideal for companies that want to reuse, sell or donate devices. E-Waste Nederland uses only certified methods such as Blancco data-wipe.
Destruction according to DIN 66399: safety at a high level
Destruction according to DIN 66399 means that data carriers are physically destroyed into small parts, depending on the desired security level.
The DIN 66399 standard recognizes different classes (H1 to H5) for hard drives and destroy backup tapes. For business-sensitive information, at least H4 or H5 usually applies. E-Waste Nederland complies with this standard and destroys carriers to the required particle size.
IT recycling for companies
IT recycling for companies combines data security with sustainability. After certified destruction of data carriers, we ensure environmentally friendly processing of the residual materials. Where possible, components are reused or responsibly recycled according to WEEELABEX guidelines. By choosing IT recycling Through E-Waste Nederland you contribute to a circular economy and you meet your social duty of care as an organization.
Which certifications and standards apply?
In certified data destruction, various certifications and standards apply. The most important standards used in the Netherlands are:
- DIN 66399: classification for physical destruction
- Blancco/NIST/DoD: standards for software erasure
- WEEELABEX and CA+: industry-specific environmental certification and recycling control
- ISO 27001 and ISO 14001: information security and environmental management
E-Waste Nederland works exclusively with methods that meet these standards.
Frequently Asked Questions about Certified Data Destruction
What is a Certificate of Data Destruction?
A certificate of data destruction is an official document stating that a data carrier has been destroyed according to a certified method. For companies, this proof is mandatory for audits or data erasure accountability. Private individuals also receive a certificate from some parties, but this is not mandatory.
How can I safely destroy an old laptop?
An old laptop can be safely destroyed by disassembling the internal hard drive and having it physically shredded or erased by software. For companies, physical destruction is often the safest option. Individuals can reset the laptop themselves, but for 100% certainty about data deletion, professional destruction is recommended.
Where can I hand in an old hard drive?
Companies can hand in old hard and have hard drives destroyed at E-Waste Nederland. We will pick them up or you can bring them to our premises in Bodegraven. Private individuals can also contact us for the possibilities, but our service is primarily aimed at the business market.
What is meant by data destruction and data destruction?
Data destruction and data destruction are synonyms. Both terms refer to the process of irretrievably removing digital information on a medium, either through physical destruction or certified software.
How much does certified data destruction cost?
The costs for certified data destruction depend on the number of data carriers, the chosen destruction method (physical or software) and whether you opt for on-site or off-site destruction.
The rates for data destruction consist of start-up costs, plus prices per type of data carrier and any collection and transport costs. At E-Waste Nederland we apply graduated discounts for larger volumes or periodic orders. Feel free to contact us Contact with us to discuss all the possibilities.