Data erasure (sometimes referred to as data clearing, data wiping, or data destruction) is a software-based method of overwriting the data that aims to completely destroy all electronic data residing on a hard disk drive or other digital media by using zeros and ones to overwrite data onto all sectors of the device. By overwriting the data on the storage device, the data is rendered unrecoverable and achieves data sanitization.

Data erasure is a required process in the refurbishment of mobile phones, tablets, and computers. PTS Corp utilizes a wide range of data erasure tools to ensure that data is completely removed from the device, regardless of the device type or underlying technology.

Ideally, software designed for data erasure should:

  • Allow for selection of a specific standard, based on unique needs, and
  • Verify the overwriting method has been successful and removed data across the entire device.

Permanent data erasure goes beyond basic file deletion commands, which only remove direct pointers to the data disk sectors and make the data recovery possible with common software tools. Unlike degaussing and physical destruction, which render the storage media unusable, data erasure removes all information while leaving the disk operable. New flash memory-based media implementations, such as solid-state drives or USB flash drives, can cause data erasure techniques to fail to allow remnant data to be recoverable.

PTS Corp provides permanent, DOD-level data sanitation, regardless of the underlying technology, while providing a signed, tamper-proof Certificate of Erasure that proves compliance with global data protection regulations. With a flexible capacity of up to hundreds of thousand units processed per month, PTS Corp is well-positioned to be your computer and mobile device processing partner.