Main News Desk

‘Dead data’ can come back to haunt companies

~ Kroll Ontrack warns businesses about the risk of security breaches even after sending data to the trash ~

January 08, 2009

Irish organisations must implement robust data deletion practices if they are to fully protect themselves from security breaches, according to Kroll Ontrack® Ireland.

The leading data recovery specialist revealed that only three per cent of the total demand for its software in 2008 came from the need to permanently delete data, compared with over 90 per cent for data recovery software.

This suggests organisations are placing low emphasis on protecting end-of-life or deleted data, and are unaware that deleting a file does not permanently remove the information from the drive or device.

Second-hand laptops, PCs and mobile storage devices are regularly being sold on eBay as companies try to recoup money spent on new equipment. Furthermore, the mountain of technology that must be disposed of continues to rise as companies upgrade and replace equipment that is broken or out of date.

To minimise the risk of sensitive data falling into the wrong hands, Kroll Ontrack is urging companies to take proactive steps to permanently delete data from hardware once it is no longer in use, or risk legal consequences and damage to reputation.

In response to its findings, Kroll Ontrack has compiled a three-step plan to help companies protect data throughout its lifecycle:

Increase awareness – Ensure the workforce understands that ‘delete’ does not necessarily mean deleted, and they are aware of the implications if data is not securely erased

Update your practices – Implement a data deletion procedure as part of a wider business continuity strategy to ensure correct disposal of end-of-life information

Deletion method and software must meet standard – Using methods and software that meets industry standards, such as DoD or CESG, will ensure data is deleted from devices and drives, whether they are functioning, broken or no longer in use

Executive quote

“More and more companies are taking an ethical and admirable approach to recycling computer equipment. However, many don’t ensure that they permanently erase confidential information that resides on the hard drive,” commented Ciaran Farrell, business development manager, Kroll Ontrack Ireland. “We’ve all heard embarrassing stories of information being retrieved from laptops abandoned in skips or bought on eBay. Data is growing at an exponential rate and organisations must ensure they are managing it correctly at every stage of its lifecycle, including when it’s ‘dead’.”

About the company

Ontrack® Data Recovery (www.ontrackdatarecovery.ie)
Through its Ontrack Data Recovery products and services, Kroll Ontrack is the largest, most experienced and technologically advanced provider of data recovery products and services worldwide. Using its hundreds of proprietary tools and techniques, Ontrack Data Recovery helps businesses and consumers recover lost or corrupted data from all types of operating systems and media and storage devices through its do-it-yourself, remote and in-lab capabilities.

About Kroll Ontrack Inc.
Kroll Ontrack provides technology-driven services and software to help legal, corporate and government entities as well as consumers recover, search, analyse, produce and present data efficiently and cost-effectively. In addition to its award-winning suite of software, Kroll Ontrack provides data recovery, advanced search, paper and electronic discovery, computer forensics, ESI consulting, and trial consulting and presentation services. Kroll Ontrack is a technology services division of Kroll Inc., the global risk consulting company. For more information about Kroll Ontrack and its offerings please visit: http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.ie; http://www.krollontrack.co.uk; http://www.engeniumsearch.com; http://www.trialgraphix.com

Contact details

For more information please contact Account Manager at LEWIS, the PR agency
Tel: +44 (0) 161 601 7740
Fax: +44 (0) 161 601 7741
Email: krollontrackuk@lewispr.com
Website: www.lewispr.com

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‘Dead data’ can come back to haunt companies

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