Correct Disposal of Hard Drives and Servers with LGPD: Essential Procedures

The correct disposal of hard drives and servers is crucial to ensuring compliance with the LGPD, protecting sensitive data and mitigating legal risks. This text covers the essential procedures for the safe and environmentally responsible destruction of this equipment, based on official legislation and technical standards.

Introduction to the LGPD and Data Security

The General Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 13,709/2018) establishes principles and guidelines for the processing of personal data, including the need to protect information until its final disposal. Complying with this standard requires special attention to the disposal of media that may contain stored information, such as hard drives and servers.

Risks of Inadequate Disposal of Hard Drives and Servers

Inadequate disposal can result in data leaks that compromise privacy and information security, in violation of the LGPD. In addition, equipment discarded without sanitization can be reused improperly, generating vulnerabilities and legal risks.

Applicable Rules and Regulations

In addition to the LGPD, the Law No. 13.826/2019 (National Solid Waste Policy), which regulates the environmentally responsible disposal of electronic waste, must be observed. Procedures should also follow the guidelines of the CETESB for proper environmental management.
For sanitization and safe destruction practices, it is recommended to consult the guidelines of the NIST Special Publication 800-88r1, which specifies methodologies for disposing of data from storage media.

Essential Procedures for Safe Disposal

1. Identification and Inventory: Catalog all storage devices containing sensitive data to control the process.
2. Data Sanitization: Apply certified methods to completely eliminate the information, such as physical destruction or logical wiping as recommended by NIST SP 800-88r1. For information on the secure sanitization service, use this resource.
3. Physical Destruction: After sanitization, carry out physical destruction to ensure that disks or components cannot be reused or recovered.
4. Collection and Final Disposal: Carry out collection through specialized and environmentally responsible services, such as the appropriate collection schedule for electronic waste available at https://ecobraz.org/en_BR/eletronicos.

Documentation and Compliance

Keeping detailed records of the entire process, including inventory, sanitization/destruction methods used and proof of final disposal, is essential for audits and for demonstrating compliance to regulatory bodies such as the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD).

Final considerations

Complying with the procedures for the correct disposal of hard drives and servers is essential for complying with the LGPD and current environmental legislation, minimizing the risk of data leaks and environmental impacts. Adopting certified methods and using specialized services are recommended practices to ensure the integrity and security of information until it is finally disposed of.