Hard Disk Data Destruction Tools
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Secure IT
Northwest Annex C
3rd Floor - Mailcode 6507
860 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
F: 618-453-5261
security@siu.edu
Main Content
State law requires removal of information from all computer equipment being donated, transferred between departments, or decommissioned through the Surplus Property department. Unit Property Officers are responsible for complying with this policy for all computers or magnetic media removed from their equipment inventory. The pertinent text of the Data Security Act on State Computers can be found at the following link:
Electronic media that is to be reassigned to a different user (such as using an older PC for a student employee) within a campus department should be overwritten one time before re-installing the operating system software, unless the new user requires and is authorized to access the pre-existing data.
Degaussing (wiping data with strong magnetic fields) is only acceptable for this purpose for “light-weight” media such as magnetic tapes and floppy disks. The degaussing operation must be performed at least ten (10) times for each item being decommissioned. Computer hard disk drives and any other magnetic media must be either completely physically destroyed, or overwritten at least ten (10) times before it is redistributed in any manner.
Software for various operating systems in use at SIU has been procured and should be used to perform the data destruction. Software for "Windows" PC's (computers using Intel, Inc. or AMD, Inc. processor chips) and Apple Macintosh computers is available. For PC's., two different software packages are available. The instructions and links to download them are here:
The packages perform the same function. Either one will be acceptable for use at SIU. The difference in the two is mainly in the user interface; Autoclave gives the user more chances to be certain that they are not making a mistake and deleting data on the wrong computer. DBAN starts more quickly, but you only get one chance to "bail out" before permanent and irrevocable data destruction begins.
For Apple Macintosh computers, the Shred-It program has been procured. Versions for Macintosh OS X (all sub-versions), OS 8 and 9, and OS 7 and earlier are available for checkout from the SalukiTech. You may obtain a copy of the Shred-It program from the SalukiTech by calling 453-5155 to reserve the software. Please specify the exact Macintosh operating system version you require (OS X, 9 or 8, 7 or earlier) when placing your request. You may then pick it up in person at the SalukiTech, located in the Northwest Annex building, 'A' Wing, Room 105.
Shred-It
The Shred-It software media must be returned to the SalukiTech when you are finished wiping the hard disks.
Basic instructions for using ShredIt are here:
Do not make copies of the media; doing so would violate the software license agreement in effect for these packages. You may check the program out as often as you like, but you may not keep your own copies. If you feel that you must have a copy of Shred-It for your department, it may be purchased online using your departmental P-card from the Shred-It author. Sufficient copies are availble, however, that this should not be necessary.
To certify that the overwriting process has been completed the following information must be provided:
- Agency
- Department or organizational unit
- Inventory tag number
- Serial number of the equipment
- Name of data destruction software used, or notation that memory devices were appropriately destroyed or damaged
- Name, date, and initials of the person performing the overwriting process or certifying that the process was completed
- Name of the Unit Fiscal Officer responisble for the equipment
- Signature of the Unit Fiscal Officer
A label which can be printed on plain paper and affixed to the computer can be found under the “Forms” section of the Purchasing Quick Links web site:
Download the file and open it with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program. The Acrobat Reader program will allow you to print the label.
Plant and Service Operations is not permitted to pick up or transfer computer equipment that does not have this label affixed.
If your department does not have the staff available with the expertise to scrub the data contained on machines, assistance can be requested through the Information Technology SalukiTech at 453-5155 (e-mail infotech@siu.edu). Technicians can be dispatched to your site by appointment to scrub your hard disk drives at a cost to your department of $15 per disk drive.