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Disk Wiping/Removing data from discarded computers and media
Departments are responsible to ensure that data and software that reside on any computer, non-computer devices, disk or data storage medium is wiped clean prior to transfer or disposal.
The first step to wiping a disk drive clean is to remove all removable media (removable hard drives, floppies Zip or Jaz disks, CD’s, DVD’s, tapes, pen drives, etc.) This leaves the internal hard drives and any non-volatile memory which need to be wiped clean.
Reason for Disk Wiping
It is necessary to wipe any media clean before disposing of it. This includes the hard drive in computers as well as floppies, zip disks, tapes, CD's. Servers and RAID Arrays need special attention and may need to be done as individual hard drives. A simple delete, erase, re-format or even the fdisk command for Windows is not sufficient because there are many products which will bring back the data and software. The only four University authorized methods for securely removing data and software are: (1) Departments' Disk Wiping, (2) the university's Computer Repair Shop Disk Wiping, and (3) Departments' Physical Destruction of Media (4) Material Services physical distruction.
Departments' Disk Wiping
The University requires, at a minimum, that any data storage medium be “wiped”, which means the entire disk is overwritten with "1" then with "0" and then with "1" again. Several programs which wipe a disk at this standard are listed below.
In addition, departments need to perform a self-audit to verify that the data and software are actually non-recoverable. A random sampling of 5% of the tracks on each hard drive is required.
Computer Repair Disk Wiping
The university's Computer Repair Shop is available to assist you in sanitizing any IDE disk to DOD 5220-22M specs (7 complete disk writes + a verify read) for a nominal fee. They are also available for on-site visits.
http://www.computer-repair.rutgers.edu/wipe_out_dod.htm
Departments' Physical Destruction of Media.
The university recommends that the media be physically destroyed and the pieces disposed of into at least 2 different landfills. (home and work). However, physical destruction of hard disks is difficult and may cause injuries. Drilling several holes in a hard drive is not acceptable.
Free programs:
Active@ Kill Disk
Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN")
Eraser
Sure Delete
Programs for purchase:
Acronis DriveCleanser 6.0
BCWipe
cyberCide 2.5
Declasfy