hdd and ssd destruction Archives

SEM Introduces NSA EPL Listed High Security Solid State Disintegrator

January 24, 2023 at 8:00 am by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, is pleased to announce that its new Model SSD2-HS high security solid state disintegrator meets the requirements of NSA/CSS 9-12 Storage Device Declassification Policy Manual. This revolutionary device is now listed on the NSA/CSS EPL and was specifically designed for the destruction of classified and highly sensitive solid state media and devices, producing an NSA mandated 2mm squared final particle size.

“The SEM Model SSD2-HS is an exciting new addition to our long line of disintegrator devices and fills a large void within the intelligence community when it comes to classified SSD destruction,” commented Todd Busic, SEM Vice President of Sales. “This NSA listed device incorporates technologies to mitigate jams and increase operator health and safety via HEPA filters, making the SSD2-HS an industry first.”

The NSA states that in order for a solid state disintegrator to be NSA/CSS listed, it must be able to “reduce any solid state storage device to a maximum edge size of 2 millimeter or less” (NSA.Gov), making the SEM Model SSD2-HS a viable option for the destruction of end-of-life classified solid state material.

The Model SSD2-HS disintegrator has the power to cut through multiple steel plates, carriers, and other drives. The model’s dual stage cutting system features an auto unjam in both stages, robust safety features, and premium sound proofing. Together, the model’s dual stage cutting system combined with the solid steel rotor and cutting blades efficiently destroy multiple SSD-type devices.

“The Model SSD2-HS is a state-of-the-art, clean, and revolutionary device that ensures the secure end-of-life destruction of any and all solid state devices,” commented Andrew Kelleher, SEM President and CEO. “Our engineers have been working tirelessly on this product and the device performance reflects that. Whether it’s laptop boards, thumb drives, or other memory modules, this machine can destroy it.”

In addition to powerful steel rotors, the device is equipped with premium sound dampening insulation, a waste evacuation system with high efficiency particulate filtration and external vacuum, and other features to ensure optimal operator and environmental health and safety.

“SEM has long been an innovator of high security information destruction technology and the new SSD2-HS continues that tradition of excellence,” noted Busic.

For more information on the Model SSD2-HS, visit https://www.semshred.com/explore-model-ssd2-hs/.

Security Engineered Machinery Gives Back to Veteran Family with Operation Playhouse

March 7, 2022 at 7:25 pm by Amanda Canale

WESTBOROUGH, MA, February 23, 2022 – Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, once again partnered with Metrowest Habitat for Humanity for Operation Playhouse. The operation allows the opportunity for local Worcester County businesses to partner with veteran and military families to build and donate a playhouse to the family’s children. Each year, participating local businesses receive construction plans, paint, and a deconstructed house to build, and are given free rein to decorate the playhouses based on the children’s interests.

The SEM team decorated the playhouse for U.S. Army veteran Sgt. Christopher Cutliffe’s family. Sgt. Cutliffe served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2006 with a 2003 tour in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

“SEM was founded by a Korean War veteran in 1967, and ever since then we have worked very closely with all branches of the military and intelligence community, so any opportunity we have to give back, we take it,” said Andrew Kelleher, SEM President. “This cause has always been so close to our hearts, and it is always an absolute honor to come together and give back to a family that has given so much to our country.”

SEM Marketing Assistant, Amanda Canale, and Customer Care Representative, Cindy Haskell, painting the playhouse’s window frames.

SEM Director of Marketing, Heidi White (left), and Marketing Assistant, Amanda Canale (right) intertwining ivy garland into the playhouse’s porch.

The SEM team took full creative control with Operation Playhouse 2022 and produced a jungle-themed playhouse for the Cutliffe family’s two small children. The playhouse, painted dark green, is adorned with bamboo, greenery, jungle-themed activity books and toys, a removable front porch with gate, and even a rope swing with jungle vines.

“Every year, we try to take creative liberty and produce a truly unique and special playhouse,” said Amanda Canale, SEM Marketing Assistant. “Our team really outdid themselves with this year’s concept. It’s by far the most creative we have been and it was incredibly heartwarming to see it received so lovingly by the Cutliffe family.”

Members of the SEM Sales, Engineering, and Service teams working together to construct the playhouse’s roof.

SEM Director of Marketing, Heidi White, presenting Sgt. Christopher Cutliffe and his family with a certificate and the playhouse.

This is SEM’s fourth year taking part in Operation Playhouse and certainly won’t be the last. “Operation Playhouse has become a tradition here at SEM and we are eagerly awaiting next year’s opportunity,” added Kelleher.

Watch a recap of the day in the video below.

About Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

SEM Introduces New Line of Shredders for Commercial Data Center Market

September 1, 2021 at 9:00 am by Amanda Canale

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, is pleased to introduce a new line of hard drive and solid state shredder models: the SEM Model DC-S1-3 Series. This unique series of devices are specifically designed for the destruction of enterprise rotational hard drives and solid state media, such as those found in data centers.

Designed at SEM’s Westborough, MA headquarters, the DC-S1-3 Series includes three models: the DC-S1-3 HDD for rotational hard drives, DC-S1-3 SSD for solid state drives, and DC-S1-3 HDD/SSD Combo for HDDs and SSDs. All are made in the USA and TAA compliant.

“The DC-S1-3 series is an exciting new addition to our already extensive line of data destruction devices that was designed as a result of feedback gathered over the years from our data center clients,” commented Nicholas Cakounes, SEM CTO. “In addition to robust health and safety features, the DC-S1-3 incorporates very high torque and solid steel cutting heads to easily destroy the toughest, most dense hard drives and devices.”

The S1-3 series of devices are designed with a 3HP motor, high torque, and 3-phase power, ensuring the machines’ longevity and consistency. The S1-3 HDD and SSD both come with a single feed opening while the S1-3 HDD/SSD combo unit includes two separate feed openings and cutting chambers, one for rotational, platter-based hard drives and the other for solid state hard drives and devices.

“Our new DC-S1-3 Series fills a gap for our data center clients when it comes to end-of-life hard drive destruction,” said Ben Figueroa, SEM Strategic Account Manager. “These devices not only offer consistent and efficient drive destruction, but also feature a compact footprint, which is so critical to our data center clients.”

In addition to rotational and solid state hard drives, the DC-S1-3 Series is ideal for the shredding of data tapes, cell phones, smartphones, optical media, memory sticks, thumb drives, PCBs, and other related electronic storage media.

For more information on the DC-S1-3 series, visit https://www.semshred.com/product/model-dc-s1-3-hdd-ssd/ and watch our YouTube video.

Hard Drive and Solid State Media End-of-Life Destruction

August 27, 2018 at 2:36 pm by SEM

Where do hard drives go when they die? You can’t just toss them in the trash. There’s too much sensitive information on them that could result in significant liabilities. So what should you do? Before you can decide what to do, you also need to identify the sensitivity of the information and type of media that needs to be disposed.

Information Types

While there are many acronyms and levels of information, it’s actually reasonably simple if you break it down into two categories. The first high security information, which is information that is typically found in the highest levels of government. So sensitive that it may pose a threat to the defense of our country. The second is sensitive information. In today’s world where criminals are trying to steal identities or proprietary information, virtually all information is now sensitive. This is most applicable in the health care, financial, banking and retail industries as well as education and state/local governments.

Media Formats

Once you have categorized the type of information, you need to determine how the data is stored? High security and sensitive information is found on a wide variety of storage devices – the bulk of which is either stored magnetically on magnetic media formats like hard disk drives and back-up data tapes or stored on chips found on a solid state devices like an SSD drives, thumb drives, cell or phones.

Means of Destruction

While there are a variety of methods to erase data such as degaussing magnetic media or implementing an erasure software program, in the end, the most effective method is to combine the data erasure with a method to physically destroy the media. One such physical destruction method is the use of a hard drive shredder.

But do I need a shredder that is designed for platter based magnetic drives and another one for solid state drives?

Not necessarily.

While systems that are designed specifically for either platter based drives or storage chip based devices are certainly highly efficient, a combo unit, like the SEM Model 0315 HDD/SSD COMBO shown here, deploys two separate openings that feed cutting chambers designed to effectively shred either a magnetic platter based HDD and/or a solid state chip based device. The magnetic media HDD side of the shredder will reduce the media to a particle size that is as small as .75” while the other side is designed to shred the solid state device down to .375” (9.5 mm), small enough to insure that all of the storage chips on the media are destroyed. Other combo units with greater throughput capacity are also available here.

What Solution is Best?

Once you have identified the type of information and the formats in which the data is stored, you can make an informed decision of which solution best meets your end-of life data storage requirements. If the bulk of your media is either magnetic media or solid state media, consider a system designed specifically for that form of media. However, if your organization stores data on both forms of media, an all-in-one combo system that effectively shreds both may be the answer.

Don’t forget SEM is always here to help guide you through the decision making process. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us today!

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Tag: hdd and ssd destruction