Secure shredding of hard drives and SSDs: international standards

Introduction to the secure destruction of HDDs and SSDs

The secure destruction of storage devices such as HDDs (hard disks) and SSDs (solid state drives) is essential for the protection of sensitive information, meeting international legal and regulatory requirements. Information security, combined with compliance with global standards, ensures data integrity during disposal and the safe disposal of these devices.

Applicable international standards

Among the main international references for the secure destruction of HDDs and SSDs are the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) standards, especially documents SP 800-88 Revision 1 (NIST SP 800-88r1), which establish specific guidelines for sanitizing storage media.

The NIST SP 800-88 standard defines three basic methods for sanitization: cleaning, physical destruction and cryptographic destruction. Physical destruction consists of damaging the device so that the data cannot be recovered, while cryptographic destruction renders the data unrecoverable via encryption, which is indicated for encrypted devices.

Technical requirements for destroying HDDs

HDs, due to their magnetic and mechanical architecture, require specific processes to guarantee the breakdown of data integrity. Recommended methods include degaussing, which alters the disk's magnetic field, and physical destruction by shredding, grinding or drilling, as indicated in NIST SP 800-88 and complementary standards.

Technical requirements for SSD destruction

SSDs have flash memory-based storage, which makes destruction by degaussing alone difficult, necessitating direct physical destruction, such as grinding or mechanical shredding. In addition, cryptographic destruction can be used to sanitize devices with native encryption. Due to the complex architecture of SSDs, safe disposal must strictly follow standards to ensure total data destruction.

Related Brazilian legislation

Brazil has regulations that address the disposal and proper destination of electronic waste, as established in the National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12.305/2010). According to article 33, the person responsible for the device is responsible for its disposal or delivery for appropriate treatment, which includes the secure destruction of storage media for data protection.

In addition, in the area of information security, the General Data Protection Law (Law No. 13.709/2018) imposes the need to protect personal information, requiring appropriate practices for the secure destruction of devices containing personal data.

Good practices for secure destruction and disposal

To ensure the secure destruction and responsible disposal of hard drives and SSDs, it is recommended to use specialized providers that follow international standards and current legislation. The process should include certification of the destruction, documenting traceability and compliance with legal requirements.

For the sanitization and secure disposal of media, use services that guarantee complete physical destruction or cryptographic sanitization. In addition, disposal should be sent to appropriate e-waste treatment facilities, following reverse logistics procedures.

To organize e-waste disposal, it is recommended to schedule collection through certified systems that meet technical and environmental requirements. Information and appointments can be made on the e-waste collection portal.

Conclusion

The secure destruction of hard drives and SSDs is a fundamental requirement for data protection in accordance with international best practices and Brazilian legislation. Following NIST standards and the National Solid Waste Policy, along with the LGPD, ensures compliance and protects against leaks of confidential information.