How to Securely wipe your confidential Data from a Hard Drive

Published on: 04 September 2017 Last Updated on: 16 August 2019
dist drive

The modern era of technology has significantly transformed the traditional data management and storage system. Data security has become a crucial issue in the current data-driven world, which can’t be neglected at any cost.

One of the significant things that people usually ignore is the importance of wiping unnecessary confidential data on their hard drives. One should ensure that their company’s crucial data is wiped properly from the hard drives so that there are no chances of a data leak.

Here we’ll discuss the importance of secure wiping of the data from your hard drive, and provide adequate information regarding the wiping process.

Hard disk drive data erase metaphor .

.

Consider a Third-Party Formatting Tool

Simple formatting of the hard drive may seem to be fruitful, but the harsh reality is; formatting doesn’t wipe the hard disk. Many of us are unaware of the fact that formatting a hard drive does not wipe a hard drive, and there are chances that your data can be recovered easily.

Sometimes people prefer formatting a portion of their hard drive to ensure permanent erasing of data. Few things must be kept in mind while formatting a hard drive and the most important thing is; one cannot simply wipe a hard drive by deleting a portion or sector of the drive.

You need to use special software that is capable of erasing the data on the hard drive permanently. You can use third-party software that is available on the internet for permanent wiping of the data from your hard disk. Furthermore, it is advised that one should prefer a renowned product, which can offer reliable performance without leaving any chance of security breach.

Steps involved in wiping the data from hard disk

Here is the step by step procedure for permanent wiping of your hard drive by using third-party software.

  • First of all, back up all your necessary documents or files that you need in the future, and save them to some other drive or storage media.
  • Once you are ready with the hard drive, you can download a hard drive wiping tool that can easily format the drive permanently. One can easily get freeware software from the internet. It is advised to consider paid software for the genuineness of the product.
  • One should also check the configuration of the system before downloading the product to ensure compatibility
  • Now install the software on your system and connect the hard drive that needs to be formatted. Ensure that you connect the drive properly in the port.
  • Once you see the hard drive connected to the system, you can run the program.
  • Follow the instructions on your screen, and you will be guided
  • Be patient; the entire procedure takes a couple of minutes to wipe the data off your hard drive permanently.
  • Once your hard drive is wiped completely, you will see a message displaying the message that the task is completed.
  • Disconnect the hard drive from your computer/laptop and reconnect it to check whether the data is erased or not.

Choosing reliable software for wiping the data is essentially important from the security point of view, especially if you are involved in a business that relies on data.

Hard disk drive data erase metaphor .

Hiring Professional Data Destruction Agency

Choosing a reliable data destruction agency can be the finest way to erase the data from your hard drives permanently. The professional service providers are expert in their field and make the use of the latest software for destroying old data from the hard drive.

Furthermore, these service providers offer hard drive destruction services that can eventually leave no chances of recovering the data. Hard drive destruction involves physically destroying the hard drive by using top-notch machinery that converts your drive into pieces.

When it comes to data wiping, one should always choose a reliable service provider. Moreover, the tips mentioned above help in securely wiping your hard drives while ensuring proper security.

Read More:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Cloud-Based Quality Management Systems

Benefits of Cloud-Based Quality Management Systems

Almost all the organizations in the world are making a transition to SaaS and are embarking on new cloud technology initiatives. As a matter of fact, by 2020 more than $1 trillion spending in IT will be affected by the shift to the cloud directly or indirectly. Any industry that does not have software innovation for several years, this thing is no different. The key area that can benefit from modernization with the assistance of cloud-based tech is Quality management system. The cloud eQMS is aligned with IHC Q10 guidance for a more effective quality system. More and more organizations are looking forward to improving access to better visibility and simplify control of GxP-critical processes; as a result, most of the organizations have started replacing the outdated technology with a modern cloud solution to reduce quality risks and hence improve productivity. When it comes to modernizing the quality management systems, the key aspects such as data integrity with multiple sites along with the external collaboration are valued highly. Many solutions in the market are disguised as ‘cloud’ aren’t actually a cloud, but in reality, these solutions are already present in the existing applications and are merely offered in an online hosted model. In simplified language, these applications are online versions of software and hence are not able to deliver all the benefits that the cloud industry has to offer. The Difference The only defining attribute of a cloud solution is multitenancy. Multitenancy helps enable secure deployment of only one particular version of the cloud to all the customers. It supports ongoing innovation that minimizes the burden on validation and IT. On the contrary, software hosted applications require the application supplier to maintain different versions of the software which in return results in infrequent upgrades that are time-consuming. Check out these eight characteristics of the cloud solution industry that address today’s needs for quality manufacturing: 1. Complete: A cloud-based application brings multiple solutions, such as quality management and document management for improved control. It helps in globally harmonizing a single system which means document processes and templates can be standardized which further reduces the risk of errors and duplication. 2. Innovative: With a multipurpose cloud solution, the providers make continuous investments to provide updates with the ongoing applications and keep up with the best practices the industry is following. This further increases agility of the business and shifts the focus to fine tune the applications to align to the business needs and all the applicable regulations are fulfilled such as 21 CFR Part 11. 3. Intuitive: Multipurpose cloud applications are nowadays intuitive and much easy to use. If you are managing document lifecycle and taking documents from draft through revision, approval, and the training is simplified with a cloud solution industry, it further encourages user adoption. 4. Inclusive: Organizations bring external stakeholders to internal businesses processes easily and reduce manual efforts and further improve collaboration. A multipurpose cloud solution gives any authorized user access at any time and from any device and place which enables the coordination of different businesses. 5. Accurate: Users can view real-time status and conduct analysis accordingly to identify areas for improvement with a unified cloud eQMS. This makes it easier to create regulatory reports and satisfy the upcoming needs for submitting quality metrics. 6. Flexible: Flexibility is one of the most critical aspects of any software. The system must be able to allow you to automate the process of collecting quality and conducting corrective actions on the events and provide document control. Some software are built on a generic approach which further can be modified but takes a whole lot of time and can also be costly to endure, this also addresses to an issue that the previous business processes need to be replaced with new ones and adapting to these changes can outweigh the initial costs of the system. 7. Scalable: A software ability to grow your business without affecting its overall functionality is known as scalability. As the enterprises are becoming more and more successful growth becomes a logical progression, and more successful your organization is the more business it will attract. When looking for a QMS for your organization, it becomes essential to consider the scalability of the system for future growth. 8. Visibility: There is so much data coming to the organizations, and sometimes it becomes difficult to make sure that proper visibility is maintained. A cloud-based QMS has a solution to this problem also and here comes the point where reporting tool shows its real skills. Cloud enables worldwide access for everyone providing access to the environment from any part of the world. The transition to the regulated cloud will gain momentum. Multiple cloud options are being made available, and at first glance, it may be difficult to decide on the best solution. With all users working on one same platform, and in a system that enables secure collaboration and enhanced visibility the gains are visible and are considerable. Read Also: Use These Tips To Save Money When You Move Your Business To The Cloud Information Technology And Business Success: The Things That Connect Them

READ MOREDetails
The Importance of Electrical Infrared Thermography Inspections

The Importance of Electrical Infrared Thermography Inspections

The world runs on electrical systems, and many things would stop without them. When something goes wrong, people only notice how critical electrical systems are. They must be safe, reliable, and effective, and electrical infrared thermography inspections ensure they are. Regular Infrared thermography inspections are very important preventive maintenance for electrical systems. Electrical thermal imaging is utilized for these inspections, which can further detect all the potential issues early on. Moreover, it helps to prevent them from escalating into serious problems.  This very provocative approach is useful for the improvement of safety, reduction of energy costs and further extending equipment lifespan. What is an  Electrical Infrared Thermography Inspection? Technicians can uncover heat patterns and electrical systems through an infrared thermography inspection. This non-invasive technology detects temperature variations and possible problems behind walls, under floors, and in ceilings.  The problem may be a loose connection, an overloaded circuit, or a faulty component that could lead to significant issues. The inspection allows these problems to be caught early before they become expensive repairs or cause accidents or injuries. This technology is accurate and safe because the individual completing the inspection never comes into contact with the electrical system. By finding inconsistencies and heat distribution, they can uncover potential problems before they escalate. The technology is used in structural systems, mechanical systems, medicine, and environmental science. So how does it work? The trained technicians use these electrical infrared thermography cameras to capture all the images. This is also called a thermogram that shows surface heat variations. Infrared thermography can detect all issues, such as faulty electrical connections, overloaded circuits as well as bearing failures. Electrical problems can cause costly shutdowns, severe property damage, and, lastly, business interruption. Infrared thermography can help prevent all these issues by identifying problems before they even become serious. How Does Infrared Find Electrical Problems? Infrared cameras, or thermal imagers, can be called special eyes that "see" heat. Everything around emits some heat, and this camera detects the heat and pictures it according to the difference in temperature. So, how do these help in diagnosing electrical issues? Component Temperatures At Greater than Normal Operating Levels: As the electrical components are overstressed, faulty, or defect-prone, they usually produce temperatures above those obtained at normal operating temperatures.  An infrared camera would catch this type of abnormal temperature that can indicate some issues before there is a fire breakout or equipment failure. Loose Connections: Wires or terminals not properly connected are a source of resistance that leads to heating. Infrared cameras can spot these loose connections, thereby preventing arcing, sparking, and fire. Overloaded Circuits: If a circuit draws more current than its rating, the wires and elements in the circuit get so hot. Infrared cameras will spot such overloaded circuits that might create dangerous conditions. There are a few advantages that you can achieve, such as: Early Detection: Early Detection-Infrared cameras are used for the diagnosis of problems at an initial stage, and hence do not require huge repair services. Safety: Upon the identification of possible fire hazards through infrared cameras, safety features in domestic, commercial as well as industrial environments improve. Reduced Downtime: Infrared cameras quickly identify problems, reducing equipment downtime and keeping businesses running smoothly. (In the next section, I will be discussing the major benefits of Electrical Infrared Thermography) In summary? The infrared camera is an indispensable instrument in the inspection and fault-finding of electrical systems. The cameras produce the necessary effects which are useful in detecting a fault without necessarily damaging the equipment. The Benefits of Electrical Infrared Thermography Inspections As previously mentioned, electrical infrared thermography inspections are highly beneficial because they catch problems early before they become significant issues. Electrical systems are exposed to continuous wear and tear, which can lead to degradation. Improper installation and environmental conditions can also cause problems within these systems. The technology captures thermal images to uncover abnormalities. The technician can conduct this inspection without halting the system. This inspection is often part of a more extensive preventative maintenance program, helping reduce unexpected downtime while extending the lifespan of costly electrical parts. Problems are fixed before they escalate. System performance improves when regular inspections are conducted. These inspections ensure the electrical system is performing at optimal levels. The business owner saves money by not paying for costly repairs or early replacements. Furthermore, efficient systems use less energy. These thermal inspections ensure the safety of electrical systems. Electrical fires can quickly cause significant damage to a property. The inspections ensure that all components work as intended. The technician also identifies hazardous hot spots to be corrected before catastrophe strikes. Business owners must comply with safety and operational standards, and thermography inspections help them achieve this goal. Conducting these inspections reduces the risk of the company being fined or encountering a legal or liability issue. It also shows that the company remains committed to safety and operational excellence, which can help its reputation. Furthermore, these inspections may lower insurance premiums because they show that the business complies with these standards. Common Uses  Industrial plants often use thermography inspections to monitor machinery and panels and ensure they aren't overheating. Commercial buildings benefit from these inspections because they confirm all electrical systems are performing optimally.  On top of that, homeowners may request a thermography inspection to ensure no electrical shorts could harm their families or properties. Utility companies also use this technology to monitor their power lines and transformers. Contact a licensed electrician today to schedule a tomography inspection. The technician reviews the system's layout to determine which parts need to be inspected. Then, when the system is operating, they use a specialized camera to scan the electrical panel circuits and other equipment. The thermal images captured by this camera are analyzed to identify hot spots and heat distribution issues. Upon completion of this review, the technician alerts the owner to any potential problems so they can be rectified and the electrical system can be safe again. Read More: Business Advice: Stepping Stones For A Startup Owner 4 Ideas for Gifting Presents That Support Small Businesses

READ MOREDetails
Pallet Jack

How To Safely Use a Pallet Jack

The pallet jacks at Adaptalift Store are an extremely useful item to have in your warehouse. It’s a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment that will save your employees time and energy as they transport goods throughout your facility. However, the pallet jack is also incredibly dangerous if used improperly. Injuries can occur from falling loads or from being crushed by the pallet jack itself, so it’s important to take safety into account when using the equipment. Here Are Some Tips On How You Can Safely Use Your Pallet Jack: 1. Keep your load low The most common cause of injuries involving a pallet jack is when a load falls off of it. To prevent this, always keep your load as close to the ground as possible. If you need to carry something that won’t fit on a standard-sized pallet, you’re better off transporting it on a hand truck or another type of equipment designed for that purpose. 2. Make sure your load is secure Before moving anything with your pallet jack, make sure that the load is secure and will not fall off during transit. It should be centered on the forks and not extend past the edges, and all four sides should be stable and secured with shrink wrap or other strapping materials if necessary. 3. Always use the right tool for the job Pallet jacks come in many different styles and sizes. You should select the one that best fits your needs. Always keep in mind that smaller pallet jacks are designed to move lighter loads, while larger ones can handle heavier loads. 4. Observe capacity limits Be sure not to exceed the maximum load capacity or height of your pallet jack. Exceeding the capacity limit can cause damage to both you and your equipment. If the load is too heavy for the pallet jack, do not attempt to lift it with just one person; have someone help you instead. To determine if a load is too heavy for your pallet jack, check either its weight or center-of-gravity (CG) rating. 5. Learn the Basics Before you begin using a pallet jack, you need to understand its basic components and functions. A pallet jack has two forks that are slid under a pallet for loading onto the equipment. Then, the operator uses the handle to push or pull the load wherever it needs to go. It’s important to know where all of the controls on the handle are located because they vary depending on the manufacturer. 6. Load Safely When loading items onto a pallet jack, always keep your back straight and bend at the knees so you aren’t putting too much pressure on your spine. In addition, make sure you keep your feet shoulder-width apart for better balance and grip. The Basics of Pallet Jacks Before you can use a pallet jack safely, you need to understand how it works. These jacks come in two basic varieties: power-driven (motorized) and manual. Power-driven models are more expensive up front, but they save you time and effort since you don't have to pump the handles. Manual models are less expensive and usually easier to maintain, but require more effort from your staff to operate them. Prepare The Pallet Jack Before you begin moving any product, it is important that you inspect the equipment. Look over the handle, the forks, and any other moving parts for damage or wear. If the pallet jack has been damaged, do not use it until it has been repaired. It is also important to make sure that you have the correct type of pallet jack for your load. Check its capacity against the weight of what you are lifting. If needed, use multiple pallet jacks instead of trying to fit too much onto one machine. Make sure to adjust the forks for your load so that they are centered between them and there is no risk of damaging them during movement. Finally, add enough trucks or other blocks underneath your load so that it will not drag on the floor as you move it across the rented warehouse. Read Also: 6 Types of Equipment You Need in Your WarehouseWhich Type Of Forklift Your Industry Need: Have A Look At Them!

READ MOREDetails