Destroying a hard drive makes it challenging for information to be restored…but not impossible. Government organizations require high levels of security and put data destruction at the heart of everything they do. One of the best tools for data destruction is degaussers.
Degaussers prevent data from being forensically recovered, even when the hard drive itself has been destroyed. They are often used in combination with hard drive shredders to comply with security procedures in highly regulated environments. Our guide below will help you choose the best degausser for your organization.
What you should consider when choosing a degausser
Not all degaussers are the same. They can vary in size, security level, brand, and pricing. When looking for degaussers for your organization, you’ll need to consider the following:
- The security level you need
- How portable/compact the degausser is
- The cost of the degausser
- The degausser brand and reputation
NSA-listed and high-security degaussers
The NSA requires the highest level of security, making NSA-listed degaussers the best choice for security-conscious organizations. All of the degaussers listed in this section meet or exceed federal security requirements.
NSA-listed degaussers have a very strong gauss charge. Our degaussers have more than enough strength to wipe away any magnetically stored data on a hard drive. The higher the oersted-level of your device (the coherent derived unit of the auxiliary magnetic field), the stronger degausser power you’ll need. You’ll often find that hard drives with a large amount of data have a higher oersted level.
We have a variety of high-security, NSA-listed degaussing machines for you to choose from. One of our favorite degaussers is the Datastroyer 106 Hard Drive Degausser. This is our newest NSA-evaluated and listed degausser, and it can erase hard drives and other magnetic media in 20 seconds or less. Capable of producing a magnetic field of at least 20,000 gauss per cycle, it can handle the destruction of top secret and classified data.
Portable degaussers for your organization
Many organizations have a problem with not having enough space. Certain pieces of equipment take priority in space, such as shredders, computers, and printers. Degaussers tend to be small in size, and are roughly the same size as a toaster oven.
This is why portable degaussers have become so desirable. Designed to take up as little space as possible, they are less than half a foot in length, and don’t need electricity to operate. An example of a portable degausser is a degausser wand. When using a degausser wand, you have to remove the casing from the hard drive, as well as the hard drive platters, to physically wipe the data. This means that it can be time-consuming to prepare the hard drive for destruction.
The Proton 1100 Degaussing Wand is NSA-listed, and is the lightweight, portable, and effective alternative to a full-sized degaussing machine. It weighs just 4 oz., and can be used to degauss disk drives, disk packs, drum type memories, floppies, and any flat-surface magnetic memory.
Choosing budget-friendly degaussers
A degaussing wand is the cheapest option when it comes to degaussers. However, it is not the most convenient option, because you have to remove the casing and the hard drive platters in order to use the wand. Degausser machines are one of the best options, since you can save time with a large machine when processing hard drives and destroying data.
One alternative is to rent a degausser. This allows you to fulfill your short-term degaussing requirements, and complete all destruction on-site for greater security. If you are considering purchasing a machine, you can rent a degausser, and try out the solution you are looking for before you commit to buying. You will be able to make sure that you have the best degausser for your business.
Another option is to use a degausser module. Also known as drawer degaussers, these machines can be added to your existing shredder or crusher for an extra layer of security. Data can be removed from the drive using a degausser before the drive itself is destroyed, keeping your data safe. The Datastroyer SSD Module for ACD and MCD offers you effective data destruction without breaking the bank.
Why you should use degaussers in combination with other data destruction machinery
At Whitaker Brothers, we supply a number of the top-rated brands for data destruction, including Datastroyer, MBM, Phiston Technologies, Proton Data Security, and Whitaker Brothers.
No matter what your security needs are, you’ll find the best degausser for your organization. Each brand offers its own type of data destruction equipment, and many of the leading brands have created products compatible with their machinery. This allows you to integrate all of your solutions.
Degaussing will wipe your drive, but the physical destruction of the drive in combination with a degausser will ensure that no data can be retrieved from it. Keep your data secure by shredding and degaussing your hard drive.
Get your degausser questions answered today
Unsure about the best solution for your business? Looking for GSA-listed degaussers, or a degaussing drawer for use with your current hard drive shredder? Our team can help. Contact Whitaker Brothers today to discuss your needs and get the professional advice you deserve.
