Tag: nsa data desruction

SEM 2 in 1 Crusher for Either HDD or SSD Media

June 13, 2018 at 4:04 pm by SEM

WESTBORO, MA — The SEM Model 0101, an NSA evaluated and listed destruction device for all computer hard drives regardless of their size, format or type, can now be factory configured for dual media destruction of either HDD or SSD media. The Model 0101 Hard Drive Crusher from Security Engineered Machinery has long been the choice of the Federal Government, US Military and Fortune 1000 companies for physical destruction of HDDs.

The SEM Model 0101 Crusher can now be purchased with a factory installed SSD Kit allowing the system to perform dual media destruction of either HDDs or SSDs. The SSD Kit consists of a specially designed hardened steel anvil with 292 piercing spikes, an SSD Wear Plate, and an SSD Press Plate. The large number of spikes on the anvil ensures each data bearing chip is damaged during the operating cycle. Solid State media that can be destroyed include memory sticks and circuit/controller boards found on hard drives, SSD drives, cell phones, tablets and similar devices up to 5.39” x 5.39” (137mm x 137mm).

The Model 0101 with integrated SSD Kit also includes a standard HDD anvil and can be easily exchanged in the field for the destruction of conventional hard drives and other rotational magnetic media.

Offices, hospitals, data centers, and other facilities can destroy confidential/sensitive information in a timely manner in accordance with government regulations and industry standards (HIPAA, FACTA, SOX, PCI DSS, etc.). The Model 0101 also satisfies National Security Agency requirements for physical destruction of rotational drives after they have been degaussed in an NSA-listed degausser.

The unit is compact, portable (22”H x 10”W x 19”D, 105 lbs.), quiet and virtually vibration free. It operates on standard 120V power, international voltages are also available. A safety interlock prevents the unit from functioning while the door is open and is the only crusher on the market that allows hard drives to be crushed with carriers still attached.

ISO 14001 Registered, Security Engineered Machinery, “SEM” is a global supplier of information security solutions and the largest producer of data-destruction equipment in the United States and operates a manufacturing and design facility adjacent to its headquarters in Westboro, Massachusetts. SEM’s full-service engineering department designs custom systems, such as high volume centralized security destruction systems with integrated waste briquetting and evacuation systems in use by the Federal Government and commercial entities. SEM’s areas of expertise include the design and production of destruction equipment for any type of data storage media from paper to hard drives to solid state, where data security and end of life measures are essential.

For more information, contact James T. Norris, Norris & Company, 264 Bodwell Street, Avon, MA 02322 Tel: (508) 510-5626, FAX: (508) 510-4180, E-mail: jim@norrisco.com

In-House Solutions for End-of Life Hard Drives in Data Centers

June 1, 2014 at 5:02 pm by SEM

Today, data centers are the backbone of of our digital information society. The question is: do you have a solid plan in place to effectively and securely handle your drives at end-of-life?

Whether it’s just disposing of a few failed drives, or a planned system upgrade, eliminating data from hard drives is one of the most critical elements of limiting liability in any data center.

The sensitive nature of the information on your drives makes it absolutely critical that when a drive fails or comes to end-of-life (EOL) that you efficiently, effectively and securely eliminate the possibility of that data being accessed on any defective or obsolete hard drives.

As data storage technology evolves, so must the data eliminations and destruction process. Depending on the security level of the drives, classified, top secret, or just sensitive, there are many ways to accomplish this vital task.

If you operate a data center with government classified or top secret information, according to the NSA, you need to first sanitize, also known as degaussing, a hard drive with an NSA approved device. Then once degaussed the hard drive must be shred, punched or otherwise physically destroyed.

More detailed information on degaussing options can be found here.

If you don’t have any government secrets on your drives or a strict internal policy, all you need to do is physically destroy them. No degaussing is required.

Crushers that punch and bend the drives are a great option for small batches of drives, or as support for smaller data centers, shipping them out to use as needed.

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SEM Model 0101 HDD Crusher

Today, there are many different hard drive shredders available for any application. These shredders can destroy between 50 and 3,500 drives an hour. The particle size you can choose from based on your security requirements can be anywhere from 3/4’”to 1-1/2” wide by random length. Hard drive shredders like these can quickly, efficiently and securely take whole drives and turn them instantly into highly recyclable metal scrap, making the drives unrecognizable and the information irretrievable.

More information about crushers and shredders can be found here.

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SEM Model 0305 HDD Shredder

Another major security concern for data centers is that many do not want to remove or transport the drives from the site or let anyone come on-site for HDD destruction. With some of the options shown above, destruction cab be completed in house and on-site to maintain the security of the site while meeting all destruction requirements. For smaller data centers that would not need a large full time device, many of these solutions are small enough to be shipped anywhere in the world from site to site as needed! This saves time, money and enhances a sites security by keeping contact with the data to internal personnel only.

As we have discussed, protecting the information and preventing unauthorized access to your obsolete drives and the information on them is the most critical element in managing your liability and reducing your risk.  Many companies have already taken steps to prevent future problems. Will you be next?

See this video about how Google is tackling this challenge:

Is your company ready to maximize your hard drive security while minimizing the liability? If you have any additional questions about what solution is the best for you, SEM is here to help. Contact us today to ensure your data is destroyed safely, securely, and to all spec and regulations that need to be met.