Wiping Vs Degaussing Vs Shredding – Which Method is the Best?

Overview: In a time period where data breaches and cyber security are common, data security is very important. To stop unauthorized access to the sensitive data that is in any electronic device, it is important for one to get rid of such information. Wiping, Degaussing, Shredding and Purging are the four most popular ways of destroying data digitally. Every method has got its strengths and weaknesses as well as uses. This article will explore these methods of data shredding in detail through comparison based on how good they are, what are their merits versus demerits as well as which cases do they fit best.

What is Data Wiping?

Data wiping refers to the process where the storage media is overwritten with fresh data so that the original data will not be reclaimed. It deletes information off of a hard drive. When you delete a file, you’re physically removing it from one location. Unlike just dragging an item to the trash bin, this action doesn’t completely remove data; but it means that it will be hidden because another person may also accidentally access them. This means that after deleting these pieces of information manually; they are still present in memory and can even be retrieved through different computer forensic methods such as decryption procedures or undelete utilities. Once you’ve safely stored a back-up copy of your information somewhere you use software to completely and permanently erase everything in your hard drive.

Pros: Data wipe tools makes wiping an cost-effective method. Also, you can reuse the data from storage media after the process.

Cons: If you have large storage devices, then this process can take a long time to wipe the data.

Example Use Case: we must make sure all prior data is unrecoverable. Regular erasure of outdated information to keep data clean.

What is Degaussing?  

Degaussing is the process that uses magnets to destroy magnetic fields such as hard drives and tapes to eliminate those magnetic domains and gets rid of the information stored on that hard drive. It was first used in World War II to avoid damage from German underwater magnetic mines.

Pros: It is a highly effective method to completely erase data making it unrecoverable. It can be completed faster than the wiping method.

Cons: After this process, the storage media is unusable. Also, the access to degaussing machines can be costly.

Example Use Case: Situations where data must be destroyed quickly, and making them unrecoverable. This process is effective for old hard drives and tapes.

What is Shredding?

Shredding is a physical method of destroying data that occurs when the storage media is cut mechanically into small pieces to prevent its reconstruction. Cell phones, circuit boards, hard drives, and storage devices are killed by industrial shredders. The shredder size determines what gets shredded. A printer will be shrunk down by a large machine and it can shred small things such as cellphones. After being shredded apart by machines, various materials are separated. In a different recycling container from that of copper wire and metal is a separate one where plastics are placed. Melting and reuse are possibilities for any of it.

Pros: It completely destroys the media, having no chance of data recovery. It gives you physical assurance by destroying the storage media.

Cons: Shredding destroys the storage media, preventing any future use or recovery. Access to industrial shredders and proper disposal of shredded material is something that we need.

Example Use Case: When we no longer need our devices but have to discard them securely. Situations where we need the very best security yet cannot let anyone retrieve any information stored in it are called highly confidential data.

What is Purging?

The act of purging is the process of getting rid of the stored data through a variety of ways in order to remove any traces from the storage media, involving advanced procedures to make sure that the data is irretrievable.

Pros: It is more thorough than basic data deletion. Moreover, it is sufficient for internal reuse of storage devices.

Cons: It can be a complex and time consuming method. Also, required specialized tools to perform the task.

Example Use Case: When you retire storage media which remains within a secure environment, When there is a need for high degree of certainty that data cannot be reconstructed by laboratory techniques.

Wiping Vs Degaussing Vs Shredding Vs Purging – Comparison Table

Aspect	Wiping	Degaussing	Shredding	Purging
Definition	Overwriting data with new patterns	Using a magnetic field to erase data	Physically cutting storage media into small pieces	Rendering data inaccessible through a combination of methods
Effectiveness	High, but can vary with media type	Very high for magnetic media	Extremely high, data is irrecoverable	Very high, suitable for high-security needs
Media Reusability	Media can be reused after wiping	Media is typically unusable after degaussing	Media is destroyed and cannot be reused	Depends on method, often media is reusable
Time Utilization	It can be time-consuming	Generally faster than wiping	Fast, but it depends on the volume of media	Varies depending on the methods used
Cost	Not that high, is the availability of software tools	widely known Moderate to high, demands special equipment	High, requires industrial shredders	Varies, can be high for complete purging
Special Equipment	Required Software tools	By Using Degaussing machines	Using Industrial shredders	May require specialized tools (e.g., degaussers machines)
Risk Involved	Low, if done properly	Very low, data is disrupted	None, data is completely destroyed	Very low chances, especially with thorough methods
Examples	Preparing devices for resale, regular data wiping	Disposing of tapes and older hard drives	Destroying end-of-life devices	Government and military data disposal, where data is kept at higher risk levels

Countermeasure to All the Above Data Destruction Methods

We have explained the differences of all these data sanitization methods through this guide. But, all of them have some pros and cons and kind of have limitations which restrict them with proper data erasure. So, you can choose SysTools Data Wipe Software which is a great option for businesses and individuals looking for a reliable data wipe solution that ensures data security and supports a wide range of storage devices and has compliance with advanced industry standards.

Wiping Vs Degaussing Vs Shredding – Which Method is the Best?

Let’s Wind Up

Choosing the appropriate way to destroy data will depend on one’s needs for the data as well as the kind of storage media being handled. Although degaussing and shredding involve physical ways of destroying information, wiping and purging give alternative methods which are reusable. So, you can choose the above mentioned data wipe tool which is very effective and makes your data erasure journey seamless.