Demagnetizers | Wipe hard drive data

DEMAGNETIZERS

Degaussing is the process of reducing or eliminating an unwanted magnetic field (or data) stored on magnetic media such as tapes, hard drives, or floppy disks.

When exposed to the powerful magnetic field of a demagnetizer, the magnetic data on a tape or hard drive is neutralized or erased. Demagnetism is the guaranteed way of erasing the hard drive,   your information is no longer recoverable.

Degaussing is simply a degaussing process to erase a hard drive or tape.

Demagnetizers contain a controlled magnetic field that is measured in units of gauss or oersteds (Oe).

All magnetic media have a magnetic property, called coercivity, which is also measured in units of oersteds (Oe).

The Oersted value (Oe) tells us how easy or difficult it is to erase a medium. Basically, higher Oe media require stronger magnetic field rates of demagnetization.

What is a demagnetizer?

A demagnetizer is a machine used to remove data stored on computer and laptop hard drives, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes by randomly changing the magnetic field alignment. When exposed to the powerful magnetic field of a demagnetizer, the magnetic data on a tape or hard drive is neutralized or permanently erased .

Demagnetizers , also known as degaussers , take their name from Johann Gauss (1777-1855), a mathematician who studied and investigated electromagnetic fields.

Demagnetizers contain a controlled magnetic field that is measured in units of gauss or oersteds (Oe).

Therefore, a demagnetizer is used to completely erase all audio, video, and data signals from magnetic storage media.

Using a demagnetizer is the professional way to guarantee irrecoverable deletion of data on different magnetic media.

How is data recorded on magnetic media?

Magnetic media,   those that are based on the magnetic properties of the components to store digital information, are the most widely used.

Mainly 3 types of magnetic media stand out:

• Hard Drives: Most used support for digital data storage. They are made up of different plates with a head that allows the writing and reading of the data.
• Magnetic Tapes: Tracks are recorded with magnetic material. They can be used to store video, audio, and data.
• Floppy disks: Although this medium is currently in disuse, there are still many institutions that use them. These units have a disk that can be magnetized to store information.

Recording data on these media creates a magnetic field that is altered to form a digital recording pattern. The player reads that pattern by returning images, audio, or computer data. On a hard drive, data is recorded using a binary code, a series of 1s and 0s (magnetic pulse and reverse pulse, consecutively).

How does a demagnetizer work?

A demagnetizer erases data by generating a magnetic field so powerful that it permanently removes the magnetic properties of media, thereby erasing, or randomizing, the recorded data pattern.

Demagnetization is the process by which a magnetic object, such as a tape or   hard drive, is exposed to a stronger magnetic field. A demagnetizer is the equipment in charge of providing that high magnetic field that must be double or triple the coercivity of the support to be effective.

When the support is exposed to a magnetic field of such magnitude, produced by a demagnetizer, the magnetic charge of the object is cancelled, leaving it in a neutral state. In this way all data is deleted.

What supports can be demagnetized?

• Hard drives: 2.5″ and 3.5”.
• Magnetic tapes: LTO, DLT, SDLT, DDS, DAT, AIT, Travan, SLR, QIC, 3592, 3590E, 3490E, 3480, 9840, 9940, T10K.
• Others: 3.5″ floppy disks, audio and video cassettes.

What characteristics must it meet?

Most hard drives have a coercivity rating of 5,000 Oersteds. To ensure complete erasure of the disk, the magnetic field strength of a demagnetizer must be two or three times the coercivity of the medium . That is, at least 10,000 Gauss for a hard drive.

In addition, as a security measure towards other devices such as computers, mobile phones, watches or credit cards, among others, the demagnetizer must be covered to limit the magnetic field to the space of the demagnetizer. If the demagnetizer is not a drawer, it cannot be predicted how the magnetic energy will affect the rest of the elements present.

Who needs a demagnetizer?

Any company or individual that handles special personal data must take all the necessary and demonstrable security measures to comply with the RGPD , which obliges them to destroy the data when they are no longer required or at the request of the interested party.

Once the periods for which the data must be kept have expired, they must be destroyed, if in addition said data involves special categories such as data related to health or biometric data, additional measures must be taken in terms of their security. .

• Organizations or companies that use confidential or top secret information must use all means to prevent industrial piracy.
• Radio and/or television stations: A demagnetizer allows the reuse of tapes.
• Data storage companies: Data that is no longer needed can be easily and efficiently deleted.
• Defense and Security Organizations: Confidential and top secret information is completely erased.

With a demagnetizer we ensure the destruction of data on different magnetic media without the possibility of return in an easy and fast way.

Can deleted data be recovered?

Deleted data can never be recovered. In addition, if the power of the demagnetizer is adequate for the support to be deleted, 100% of the data will be deleted.

“ With a demagnetizer we ensure the destruction of data on different magnetic media without the possibility of return in an easy and fast way.”

Can demagnetized media be reused?

Some magnetic media can be reused after going through a demagnetizer, such as analog and digital, DLT, 3480 and 3490 video cartridges.   Non-reusable tapes are those that contain a servo track, or boot files that are erased during the process. demagnetization

In the case of hard drives, they cannot be reused once they have been degaussed. This is because the degaussing process not only removes all data, but also removes your startup files. Therefore, an unmagnetized hard drive will not boot.

Does a demagnetizer help to comply with the RGPD?

Yes, both the RGPD and the LOPDGDD urge to protect personal data with proactive measures. Using safeguards like a demagnetizer helps minimize risks. The consequences of an unwanted leak of specially protected personal data or of special categories can cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the company as well as complaints from affected users and from the AEPD itself.