Destruction of Hard Drives and Confidential Data in São Paulo

In São Paulo, the secure destruction of HDDs and confidential data is essential to mitigate legal risks and protect sensitive information. The process must follow specific technical and regulatory standards to ensure effectiveness and compliance with current legislation.

Applicable Regulations and Legislation

The General Data Protection Law (LGPD) – Law No. 13,709/2018, regulated by Decree No. 10,474/2020, establishes guidelines for the processing of personal data, including protection against unauthorized access and secure destruction when the data is no longer necessary. Furthermore, the Internet Civil Framework (Law No. 12,965/2014) imposes responsibility regarding the storage and destruction of digital data.

For the disposal and destruction of digital physical media, such as HDDs, the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT) recommends procedures that ensure the complete impossibility of data recovery, in accordance with the guidelines of the NBR ISO/IEC 27001 standard, which addresses information security.

Technical Procedures for HDD Destruction

HDD destruction must be carried out through processes that guarantee the impossibility of data recovery. Among the recognized methods are:

• Degaussing: Exposure to intense magnetic fields to erase recorded information.
• Physical Fragmentation: Shredding, fragmentation, or mechanical destruction of the hard drive.
• Data Sanitization: Use of specific software to repeatedly overwrite data before hardware destruction.

To ensure compliance and security, it is recommended to hire specialized services for secure HDD destruction, which provide destruction reports and certificates, essential for audits and corporate compliance.

Proper Management of Electronic Equipment and Data in São Paulo

In São Paulo, the proper handling of electronic waste is regulated by the Reverse Logistics Program provided for in Law No. 12,305/2010, which establishes the National Solid Waste Policy, complemented by resolutions from the National Solid Waste Information System (SINIR).

For complete management of electronic waste, including collection and disposal, it is recommended to use specialized services in technical electronic waste collection, which operate in accordance with environmental criteria, guaranteeing proper disposal and avoiding environmental and legal liabilities.

Impacts and Risks of Inadequate Data Destruction

Inadequate destruction of storage equipment can lead to exposure of sensitive data, resulting in financial risks, damage to reputation, and greater legal implications. The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) can apply sanctions ranging from warnings to significant fines in cases of non-compliance with the LGPD (Art. 52 to 54).

Conclusion

The destruction of HDDs and confidential data in São Paulo must be performed with technical rigor and respecting federal and national legal standards to ensure information security and environmental sustainability. The use of certified solutions for HDD sanitization and the proper management and collection of electronic waste are essential practices for compliance and the mitigation of operational and legal risks.