Data Destruction 
Certified data destruction is a requirement for many organisations wishing to dispose of unwanted computers, simply smashing the hard drive with a sledgehammer is no guarantee that data cannot be retrieved.
Whenever donors require a level two or higher data destruction, the hard drives are removed from the original computer upon arrival at our premises. They are taken directly into a secure area where they are documented and processed.
We have several levels of data destruction for hard drives:
Level 1: Software Wipe
Single pass scrambling is used, where random information is written to every sector of the hard drive. This process will prevent commercially available data recovery software from recovering use-able data from the disks. This is the standard method of data destruction. Unless we are told otherwise it is performed on all hard drives processed by DOT-COMm. This is a free service and therefore we do not provide any documentation for it.
Level 2: Comprehensive Wipe
Seven passes are used, which will prevent any known data recovery software from recovering useable data from the disks. This method is compliant to DoD 5220.22-M specifications (US Standard), SEAP and CESG recommendations. (UK Standards). Certification of destruction is issued.
This method take some time to complete, we therefore charge £1.00 per gigabyte. An example being a ten gig hard drive costing £10.00 for this method or a forty gig hard drive would cost £40.00
Method 3: Secure Wipe
The Guttman Algorithm is used with a full 35 passes. This method exceeds the physically non-destructive aspect of the DoD 5220.22-S specifications. (Classified Data) This method takes in excess of 1 hour per gigabyte to process most hard drives.
This method takes an even longer time to complete, we therefore charge £2.00 per gigabyte. An example being a ten gig hard drive costing £20.00 for this method or a forty gig hard drive would cost £80.00
CONFIRMATION OF DESTRUCTION OF DATA FORM (D-FORM)
A D-Form is completed by the technician overseeing and monitoring the data destruction. The D-Form details serial numbers, drive sizes, technician name and time/date/signature. Original D-Forms are sent to the donor/client by agreement, copies are kept by us for three years. This documentation is provided with the two later services only.
