Data Solutions service of digital data destruction is primarily designed to meet the needs of companies or institutions to which it is of utmost importance to keep the old, broken-down disks or disks that changed their owner, functional but to prevent possibility of accessing the old data. This service is charged based on disc capacity i.e. duration of procedure and the price depends on the number of discs delivered for destruction.

To avoid any doubt – destruction of data recorded on a magnetic media is not only possible, but even necessary when it comes to governmental agencies, institutions and intelligence services. On the other hand, the same methods may help criminals to get rid of incriminating evidence.

There are three basic data destruction methods:


Nowadays, there is a great collection of commercial software that destructs data by overwriting. Although even Windows XP operating system has a tool (cipher.exe) for overwriting of free space, encryption and decryption, there is a good reason why only a few of top quality software managed to stay in the market. Namely, almost all applications available for testing will actually overwrite each sector with particular characters; however tests show that majority of such tools fail to overwrite alternative data streams or slacks. They also leave behind a large number of shadow data.

If necessary, it is best to apply DoD standard. This standard implies minimum three steps: first step is overwriting with a character, second step is overwriting with its compliment and third step is overwriting with a random character. After this procedure is completed, it is necessary to verify it.

Another way to destroy remaining data is to create a strong magnetic field that reduces the magnetic flux to virtually zero. Demagnetization devices operate either based on changes in the magnetic field through direct current or by applying direct field of alternating current. Besides demagnetization devices, strong magnets can be used for demagnetization of a floppy or a hard disc.

Demagnetization process is slightly more complicated for tapes as it is necessary to use appropriate type of magnet for particular type of magnetic tape in order to destroy all data.

An important feature of magnetic media is that when they are exposed to extreme temperatures, or when they are stored for a long time, they become resistant to demagnetization.

When it is of utmost importance to prevent reconstruction of most sensitive data (code books, state security service, list of agents…), physical destruction is the wisest and safest solution.

Although physical destruction may seem easy, this solution is extremely time-consuming. Firstly, the entire disc must be overwritten (by applying DoD method), then it needs to be disassembled and platters need to be destroyed.

Physical destruction can be accomplished through several methods:
• pulverization (reducing platters to ashes)
• incineration (burning platters to ashes)
• sanding (complete removal of platter surface by applying sand)
• acid bath (applying acid solution or concentrated acid to platters)