INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security
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‘ Company data on backup tapes poses bigger problems ’
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Xperien CEO Wale Arewa
Company data left on discarded backup tapes is potentially a bigger problem than data left on discarded hard drives . Many companies discard backup tapes before they start experiencing any problems and there is a vigorous market in used tapes and cartridges .
However , Xperien CEO Wale Arewa warns that the data on those backup tapes and cartridges can pose a bigger problem . “ One needs to consider various options for destroying data on backup tapes including degaussing and tape cartridge destruction ,” he said .
The most common method of destroying data on tapes is degaussing , exposing the tape to a powerful magnetic field to scramble the data . If done correctly , degaussing effectively destroys the data on tapes and allows reuse of tapes . However , degaussing must be done professionally and the tapes have to be exposed to a strong enough magnetic field for the correct amount of time to completely destroy the data . Tapes differ significantly in how strong the magnetic field needs to be .
The degausser also must be matched to the specific kind of tape being destroyed , tapes with higher data densities normally need stronger magnetic fields because the magnetic particles are harder to magnetise and demagnetise .
Many companies are tempted to save time and costs by disposing old backup tapes without ensuring the content is properly erased or that the tape is properly destroyed .
Arewa says the common rule is that tapes containing highly confidential data should not be reused .
“ Those tapes should be physically destroyed after they have been erased ,” he said . “ Many tape degaussers offer an option to physically destroy the tape , as well as erasing it by methods such as punching holes in the cartridge . Selling used tapes is risky because if not degaussed correctly , some of your company data could still be readable when the tape is resold . However , if a tape is properly erased , it is unreadable and not a danger .
“ There is also a legal requirement that needs to be considered , by destroying your hard drives and tapes helps keep your business compliant with the Protection of Personal Information Act 2013 ( PoPI ) and the European Union ’ s General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ).
“ By destroying old hard drives and backup tapes professionally and securely , helps ensure total information privacy for your customers and your business . You work hard to gain the trust of your customers and wouldn ’ t want to throw it away by compromising their data .” •
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