Data sanitisation enables more sustainable data centre ITAD

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Certified data sanitisation allows for the safe reuse of IT assets. Devices such as servers, hard drives, and SSDs can be repurposed or resold, extending their life cycle and reducing the need to manufacture new products. This circular approach both conserves resources and cuts down on e-waste.

8 June 20267 min read

With the e-waste problem growing in scope and severity, data centre managers need to broadly adopt sustainable practices to comply with corporate social responsibility initiatives and increasing environmental regulations. Data sanitisation should be a core practice.

Sustainable IT asset disposition (ITAD) aims to minimise the environmental impact of disposing of IT equipment. When data centre equipment reaches end of use, data sanitisation ensures that sensitive information is securely removed before repurposing, reselling or disposal via recycling. This process not only reduces the risk of data breaches but also lessens the need for additional asset manufacturing, thus conserving resources and minimising electronic waste.

Data sanitisation is the deliberate, permanent removal of data from IT assets to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive information after asset retirement. These steps ensure that sensitive information like financial records, personally identifiable information, or intellectual property doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

What is data sanitisation?

A device is considered sanitised when it has no recoverable data, even with advanced forensic tools. According to the International Data Sanitisation Consortium, there are three ways to sanitise storage and memory devices.

All three methods are appropriate for use with hard disk drives. Solid state drives (SSD) must be erased with software built into most models' firmware or with specialised third-party tools. Memory devices should be wiped clean using specialised software that passes Test Level 2 of the Asset Disposal and Information Security Alliance Threat Matrix.

Data centre managers should also be aware of data erasure methods that are not considered sufficient to qualify as sanitisation.

Data deletion merely hides data until it's overwritten, leaving it recoverable.
Reformatting a disk doesn't fully erase its contents; data is usually recoverable using forensic tools.
Factory resets on devices like mobile phones and tablets remove user data and restore factory settings, but effectiveness varies by manufacturer.
Uncertified data wiping and file shredding don’t follow specific standards or provide formal proof of sanitisation.

Documented destruction

Regardless of the method you use, sanitisation should be documented. Analysts advise using an ITAD vendor that “provides a certificate of data destruction with a serialised inventory of the data-bearing assets sanitised.” The vendor should give you the right to audit its data sanitisation processes and standards to ensure compliance with your needs.

The most sustainable and environmentally responsible data sanitisation techniques are those that allow for the safe reuse of IT assets. Devices such as servers, hard drives, and SSDs can be repurposed or resold, extending their life cycle and reducing the need to manufacture new products. This circular approach both conserves resources and cuts down on e-waste.

In short, data sanitisation is a win-win: It enhances data security while advancing a more sustainable IT lifecycle and can even yield revenue from resale. In some jurisdictions, it’s also the law.

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