9 Steps in the On Site Shredding Process

Data security is of paramount importance to businesses and individuals alike. The on site shredding of hard drives, solid-state drives, and other data-bearing media is a convenient solution for securing data on IT assets. This method involves physically destroying these assets by securely shredding them at your premises and ensuring that sensitive information is irretrievably destroyed before the assets leave the site. 

SK tes offers a full range of secure data destruction services to safeguard data, mitigate data security risks, and comply with data protection regulations. On site hard drive shredding services provide a quick and convenient solution when you have multiple drives in a single location that need to be destroyed at your site and eliminate the risk associated with transporting data-bearing IT assets off site for destruction.

But how does it work? Here’s the data destruction process, broken down into accessible steps. 

Step 1 – Identify data-bearing media for secure data destruction 

The journey to secure data destruction begins with identifying the types of media you need to dispose of. This can range from hard disk drives and solid-state drives to more compact forms of storage, such as CDs, SD/microSD cards, and USB drives.  

Understanding what you have is crucial for determining the scope of the data shredding service you need.  

Step 2 – Request on site shredding service  

Next, reach out to your selected vendor, such as SK tes, to request your business shredding service. Leading providers streamline this process through online portals that allow clients to easily specify their data-shredding needs and track the progress of their requests. This digital interface simplifies the initial engagement and sets the stage for a seamless service experience. 

Logistical coordination is where the onsite aspect of the mobile shredding service shines. The secure hard drive shredding company will coordinate with you to schedule a convenient time for the hard drive shredding to take place right on your premises. This not only adds convenience but also enhances the security of the process, as the data-bearing devices never leave your site.  

Step 3 – On site shredding vehicle arrives at your location  

On the scheduled day, a professional team will arrive, identifiable by their uniforms and security badges, ready to perform the confidential data shredding services by securely destroying your data-bearing electronics on site, allowing you to witness the process first-hand.   

Step 4 – Serial number recording  

This team will conduct an asset reconciliation process, recording hard drive serial numbers and, if applicable, comparing them to a pre-supplied list to ensure all assets are accounted for before data shredding begins.  

Step 5 – Check media against inventory  

The secure data destruction company will then provide an asset reconciliation or asset variance, report that shows if all expected hard drives, solid state drives, or other media, such as CDs, were received as expected. This report allows both parties to verify that everything has been received and is ready for shredding.   

Step 6 – Errors in check – Clarify with the client how to proceed  

If the hard drive reconciliation report shows errors in the expected devices received, the shredding activity will be paused and the assets quarantined until an agreed discrepancy process has been completed. The HDD shredding company will work with the client to identify the cause of the mismatch before proceeding with the hard drive destruction.

Step 7 – Shred drives and media to the required size  

The data shredding process is thorough, with data-bearing devices destroyed to a pre-agreed size, ensuring that the data is irretrievable. One of the key advantages of onsite shredding is the immediate peace of mind it provides. By witnessing the data destruction process first-hand, companies can verify that their data have been securely eliminated, reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.  

Learn more about how shredding destroys data on hard drives and solid-state drives here.

Step 8 – Certificate of destruction provided 

Once all drives have been shredded, a certificate of destruction (COD) is issued, providing formal confirmation that the service has been completed and serving as a record for compliance purposes. Customers receive the COD immediately after the secure data shredding process has taken place, providing great reassurance.  

The certificate of destruction should include specific, detailed information to provide a clear and comprehensive record of the data destruction process. This includes the name and contact details of the organization responsible for the destruction as well as the date and location where the destruction took place. It should also specify the data destruction method used to ensure that it meets the security requirements for the type of data destroyed.  

The certificate should include a statement of compliance that declares that the destruction process complied with relevant industry standards, laws, and regulations, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines for media sanitization. In addition, it should bear the signature of an authorized representative of the secure data destruction company. 

Step 9 – Disposal of shredded material for material recovery  

The final step is to responsibly dispose of the shredded material. Removal of waste material requires appropriate waste management and transport licenses, so make sure that you look for approved vendors, such as SK tes, who can guarantee compliance and security throughout your data shredding process.   

Onsite shredding services, such as those offered by SK tes, provide a secure and convenient solution for electronic data disposal. This approach is suitable for businesses and organizations of all sizes, particularly benefiting entities handling sensitive data, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, government agencies, and organizations subject to strict data protection regulations.  

Do you want a checklist to help plan secure data destruction on site? 

Planning an onsite shredding activity?

Our on site shredding checklist has everything you need to know when planning secure data destruction on site.