Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of-life solutions, is pleased to introduce two new shredder models: the SEM Model 0205NANO and the SEM Model 0205MICRO. These two unique devices are specifically designed for the destruction of solid state media, including small chips; the 0205NANO crushes the smallest of solid state media while the 0205MICRO is equipped to crush other larger solid state material.Designed and manufactured at SEM’s Westborough, MA headquarters, both devices are TAA compliant and meet NIST 800-88 regulations.
“These are both exciting new additions to our line of destruction devices for data centers,” commented Nicholas Cakounes, SEM CTO. “The 0205 line fills what has been a very real industry need for solid state destruction devices designed specifically to destroy microchips.”
The Model 0205NANO is a mobile crusher designed to destroy the smallest forms of solid state media and microchips. The first of its kind, this revolutionary device destroys Compact Flash Type 1, SD Cards, SIM chips, SOIC-8, PLCC-32, SOIC-16, and TSOP48. Once the end-of-life data has been inserted into the device, it is crushed beyond recovery by the specially crafted and designed internal rotors, even the tiniest chips.
Similarly, the SEM Model 0205MICRO is constructed with custom-engineered solid steel rotors, an LCD touch screen interface, and portability. The 0205MICRO is a low volume, solid state crusher that crushes a wide array of various solid state media, including SSDs, thumb drives, flash and optical media, cell phones, and more.
“These revolutionary devices are the perfect additions to the commercial market, particularly data centers, when it comes to end-of-life data destruction,” said Ben Figueroa, SEM Strategic Account Manager. “The 0205NANO and 0205MICRO are two state-of-the-art, compact, clean, and portable devices that make them ideal for safeguarding sensitive information stored on microchips.”
Security Engineered Machinery (SEM), global leader in high security end-of-life data destruction, was recently showcased in Google’s Data Center – Security Risk and Management video. The video, which was published to YouTube, showcases Google’s abundant commitment to data protection by virtually touring visitors through each step of the multi-layered security system.
The video details the six-layer security system the protects data within all Google data centers, ranging from smart fences and patrols that surround the edges of a data center property to the critical physical destruction of hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs) once they have reached the end of their useful life. Each additional measure adds a level of complexity and specificity, as even entering the building after initial security outside requires an extra identification check and an iris scan.
The sixth and final layer, which consists of erasing and physically destroying HDDs and SSDs, is showcased at the end of the video with SEM hard drive destruction equipment. Custom engineered to Google’s specifications, the devices shred high volumes of enterprise drives into tiny strips of metal, effectively destroying the platters of the drives, rendering them completely useless.
SEM hard drive destruction equipment can be seen in use in Google’s Data Center – Security Risk and Management video.
“SEM has always been about protecting information from those who wish us harm,” said Andrew Kelleher, CEO and President of SEM. “After 50 years of working with the US Government to protect classified information, it only makes sense for our business to extend to protect individual citizens’ information as well in areas like data centers that house private, sensitive information,” Kelleher added.
The physical destruction location is referred to as “the mysterious sixth layer” by Wong, the narrator of the video. The smallest number of building personnel are allowed in this data destruction room, where drives must be passed through a locker system to even reach the inside the room.
“We are honored to have our machines in use by one of tech’s greatest innovators,” commented Ben Figueroa, Strategic Account Manager at SEM. “We pride ourselves on having the most efficient, secure end-of-life solutions for sensitive data, and to be showcased in this video by one of the world’s largest data holders is a sign we are continuing to engineer our products with the future in mind.”
SEM additionally manufactures destruction devices that are capable of destroying paper, optical media, SSDs, and other electronic media devices for commercial and government clients around the world.
Why is it important to dispose of electronic devices safely?
US-CERT is a division of Homeland Security
In addition to effectively securing sensitive information on electronic devices, it is important to follow best practices for electronic device disposal. Computers, smartphones, and cameras allow you to keep a great deal of information at your fingertips, but when you dispose of, donate, or recycle a device you may inadvertently disclose sensitive information which could be exploited by cyber criminals.
Types of electronic devices include:
Computers, smartphones, and tablets — electronic devices that can automatically store and process data; most contain a central processing unit and memory, and use an operating system that runs programs and applications.
Digital media — these electronic devices create, store, and play digital content. Digital media devices include items like digital cameras and media players.
External hardware and peripheral devices — hardware devices that provide input and output for computers, such as printers, monitors, and external hard drives; these devices contain permanently stored digital characters.
Gaming consoles — electronic, digital, or computer devices that output a video signal or visual image to display a video game.
What are some effective methods for removing data from your device?
There are a variety of methods for permanently erasing data from your devices (also called sanitizing). Because methods of sanitization vary according to device, it is important to use the method that applies to that particular device.
Methods for sanitization:
Backing Up Data
Saving your data to another device or a second location (e.g., an external hard drive or the cloud) can help you recover your data if your device is stolen. Options for digital storage include cloud data services, CDs, DVDs, and removable flash drives or removable hard drives (see Protecting Portable Devices: Data Security for more information). Backing up your data can also help you identify exactly what information a thief may have been able to access.
Deleting Data
Removing data from your device can be one method of sanitization. When you delete files from a device—although the files may appear to have been removed—data remains on the media even after a delete or format command is executed. Do not rely solely on the deletion method you routinely use, such as moving a file to the trash or recycle bin or selecting “delete” from the menu. Even if you empty the trash, the deleted files are still on device and can be retrieved. Permanent data deletion requires several steps.
Computers. Use a disk cleaning software designed to permanently remove the data stored on a computer hard drive to prevent the possibility of recovery.
Secure erase. This is a set of commands in the firmware of most computer hard drives. If you select a program that runs the secure erase command set, it will erase the data by overwriting all areas of the hard drive.
Disk wiping. This is a utility that erases sensitive information on hard drives and securely wipes flash drives and secure digital cards.
Smartphones and tablets. Ensure that all data is removed from your device by performing a “hard reset.” This will return the device to its original factory settings. Each device has a different hard reset procedure, but most smartphones and tablets can be reset through their settings. In addition, physically remove the memory card and the subscriber identity module card, if your device has one.
Digital cameras, media players, and gaming consoles. Perform a standard factory reset (i.e., a hard reset) and physically remove the hard drive or memory card.
Office equipment (e.g., copiers, printers, fax machines, multifunction devices). Remove any memory cards from the equipment. Perform a full manufacture reset to restore the equipment to its factory default.
Overwriting
Another method of sanitization is to delete sensitive information and write new binary data over it. Using random data instead of easily identifiable patterns makes it harder for attackers to discover the original information underneath. Since data stored on a computer is written in binary code—strings of 0s and 1s—one method of overwriting is to zero-fill a hard disk and select programs that use all zeros in the last layer. Users should overwrite the entire hard disk and add multiple layers of new data (three to seven passes of new binary data) to prevent attackers from obtaining the original data.
Cipher.exe is a built-in command-line tool in Microsoft Windows operating systems that can be used to encrypt or decrypt data on New Technology File System drives. This tool also securely deletes data by overwriting it.
Clearing is a level of media sanitation that does not allow information to be retrieved by data, disk, or file recovery utilities. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) notes that devices must be resistant to keystroke recovery attempts from standard input devices (e.g., a keyboard or mouse) and from data scavenging tools.
Destroying
Physical destruction of a device is the ultimate way to prevent others from retrieving your information. Specialized services are available that will disintegrate, burn, melt, or pulverize your computer drive and other devices. These sanitization methods are designed to completely destroy the media and are typically carried out at an outsourced metal destruction or licensed incineration facility. If you choose not to use a service, you can destroy your hard drive by driving nails or drilling holes into the device yourself. The remaining physical pieces of the drive must be small enough (at least 1/125 inches) that your information cannot be reconstructed from them. There are also hardware devices available that erase CDs and DVDs by destroying their surface.
Magnetic media degaussers. Degaussers expose devices to strong magnetic fields that remove the data that is magnetically stored on traditional magnetic media.
Solid-state destruction. The destruction of all data storage chip memory by crushing, shredding, or disintegration is called solid-state destruction. Solid-State Drives should be destroyed with devices that are specifically engineered for this purpose.
CD and DVD destruction. Many office and home paper shredders can shred CDs and DVDs (be sure to check that the shredder you are using can shred CDs and DVDs before attempting this method).
How can you safely dispose of out-of-date electronic devices?
Electronic waste (sometimes called e-waste) is a term used to describe electronics that are nearing the end of their useful life and are discarded, donated, or recycled. Although donating and recycling electronic devices conserves natural resources, you may still choose to dispose of e-waste by contacting your local landfill and requesting a designated e-waste drop off location. Be aware that although there are many options for disposal, it is your responsibility to ensure that the location chosen is reputable and certified. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Electronics Donation and Recycling webpage for additional information on donating and recycling electronics. For information on recycling regulations and facilities in your state, visit the EPA Regulations, Initiatives, and Research on Electronics Stewardship webpage.
