In Human Resources one of the most important areas to focus on is security of information. Whether in written or electronic form, the Human Resources Department is responsible for the maintenance of employee records. Because these records contain employees’ personal information, including social security numbers, it is critical that security measures are taken to protect the information.
IT departments are responsible for providing the necessary solutions to protect this data, and the HR department is responsible for the implementation of this security as far as password protection, etc. But what about that day when there is a computer disposal and those computers that house that secure information are being picked up by the IT asset disposition firm that the IT department chose for the computer disposal project? It is at that time that additional measures must be taken to secure the information.
It is imperative that prior to that pickup that data destruction is discussed with the IT asset disposition firm, otherwise known as an ITAD. Data destruction ensures that the information on those hard drives will either be erased through software methods, so there is no trace of the information, or that the information is physically destroyed through means of a hard drive shredding machine.
Regarding the software solution there is a method known as DOD data scrubbing. As the name suggests the data is essentially “scrubbed” from the hard drive using a technique that adheres to standards set by the Department of Defense. This method can certainly ease some uncertainty regarding the information, because if the Department of Defense uses this method, it must surely be an effective way to “scrub” data.
While DOD data scrubbing scrubs the data, the other option is physical destruction known as hard drive shredding. This method physically shreds the hard drives eliminating any possibility to gain access to the information that was stored on those drives.
So if a computer disposal takes place in a firm, it is crucial that data destruction is considered. Whether DOD data scrubbing or hard drive shredding is chosen the HR and IT departments can rest assured knowing that no one will be able to get their hands on their employees’ confidential information. And in today’s world where there is so much fraud and stealing of information, it is only the right thing to do for the safety of the employees of the firm as well as the company.
