Sooner or later along the path of every companies’ evolution process there will come time to upgrade IT equipment without wavering on data security. In most cases this means destroying tape media. Back up tapes contain confidential information and in some cases intellectual properties that are vital to business survival. Unfortunately, full data destruction isn’t as simple as taking a sledge hammer to the hard drive. It is imperative the all legal liabilities and environmental concerns are addressed in order properly dispose of back up data tapes.
There are a number of ways that to destroy backup data tapes; tape recycling being the most cost efficient and environmentally friendly solution. Companies like WeBuyUsedTape.net provide all types of data destruction services from on-site shredding to data eradication. With professional and secure media destruction services, back up tape disposal and data destruction has never been easier.
Degaussing
WeBuyUsedTape.netoffers the best way to destroy magnetic tapes withmedia degaussing. A degaussing machine effectively destroys back up tape data by scrambling data to make it irretrievable.Media degaussing processes ensure all data security, government, and industry standards are followed.
Shredding
Another way to destroy data and prevent sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands is media shredding. Shredding of tapes and hard drives diminishes the danger of data drips. With shredding, the tapes are ground into small pieces; making it impossible for reconstruction. However, the ground up data tapes have to go somewhere. More often than not these small pieces of metal and traces of chemicals are disposed in landfills. Shredding may present the most inexpensive choice, but in the long run could end up costing us more than we ever expected; both with our planet and our health.
Burning
Incinerationof magnetic tape epitomizes the most efficient way to destroy data. All the material that makes up the data tapes from the tape cartridge to the tape itself is completely burned in temperature controlled ovens. While burning the data leaves no solid waste to dispose of in a landfill; the release of toxic elements into the atmosphere may end up having a greater effect.
Recycling
We Buy Used Tape’s media degaussing method is ultimately the most eco-friendly and cost-effective route to take with data tape destruction because it allows for recycling. Once the data is completely erased from the tapes, the tape cartridges and tape itself can be reused.WeBuyUsedTape.netand its’ sister companiesWeBuyUsedHarddrives.netandWeBuyUsedITequipment.netoffer a buyback program. Used tape, hard drives, and other IT assets can be resold after using them in order to recoup return on initial investment and saving money on future IT upgrades. We Buy Used Tape follows all responsible recycling practices and provides every customer with a certification data destruction upon completion.
Improper disposal of backup media and other IT assets could result in penalties if government and industry standards are not followed. Reputable tape destruction services like We Buy Used Tape can guarantee 100% data security while saving money and the environment.
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FAQs
Degaussing. Degaussing uses a high-powered magnet to disrupt the magnetic field of the storage medium and destroy the data in the process. When applied to magnetic storage media such as hard disks, magnetic tape, or floppy disks, degaussing can quickly and effectively purge an entire storage medium.
How to destroy magnetic tape? ›
Tape Destruction: 4 Best Disposing Procedures
- Shredding. One of the best ways for on site tape destruction is shredding. ...
- Burning. Along with shredding, burning of tape is also an effective way for best tape destruction. ...
- Degaussing. On the other way around, degaussing is also a good way for tape destruction. ...
- Recycling.
Final Tape Disposal
Even if tape is reused it will eventually either be land filled or incinerated. Your best disposal alternative is that it be done with a licensed recycling facility that provides a legally valid environmental compliance document for the final disposal.
What is the most effective method to destroy a data tape disk? ›
The most common method of destroying data on tapes is degaussing -- exposing the tape to a powerful magnetic field to scramble the data. If it's done properly, degaussing effectively destroys the data on tapes and allows reuse of tapes that don't have prewritten servo tracks.
What is the best way to destroy information on magnetic media? ›
Best Ways to Destroy Magnetic Tape
- Degaussing. WeBuyUsedTape.net offers the best way to destroy magnetic tapes with media degaussing. ...
- Shredding. Another way to destroy data and prevent sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands is media shredding. ...
- Burning. ...
- Recycling.
A permanent magnet will damage the data on the tapes, however, if you want to actually remove all of the data, you need a moving or alternating magnetic field, such as one of these … It's an 8.5A, 120V AC, 1000W electromagnet with a reach of at least 1″.
Can you degauss magnetic tape? ›
Degaussing definition - What is a Degausser? It is a machine used to eliminate data stored on computer and laptop hard drives, floppy disks and magnetic tape, by randomly changing the alignment of magnetic domains on the medium.
What is the best data destruction method? ›
Shredding
Shredding is another form of physical destruction that uses an industrial machine to destroy drives. Experts consider it to be the most secure and cost-effective way to destroy data in any electronic medium that has reached the end of its usable life, including: Hard drives.
What tool can be used to erase magnetic media such as backup tapes? ›
A degausser serves as a crucial tool for eliminating magnetic data stored on tape and disk media.
What destroys the magnetism of a magnet? ›
A magnet can lose its magnetic property if it is hammered, heated or thrown from a height.
While steel is a common choice, other metals, such as brass, copper and aluminum can also be used to block or shield against magnetic fields, but they are not as effective as iron or steel. There are also specialized materials are specifically designed for magnetic shielding.
What method uses a strong magnetic field to erase media? ›
Degaussing is a method of permanently erasing data from working and non-working hard drives, tape, and floppy disks. Degaussing completely sanitizes the media of data in seconds by delivering a powerful magnetic pulse that instantly destroys all magnetic domains on the disk platters.
How do you destroy magnetic properties? ›
A magnet can lose its magnetic property if it is hammered, heated or thrown from a height.
Can magnetic tape be removed? ›
A simple magnetic tape definition would state that the tape uses magnetism rather than conventional adhesive for its primary gripping power. This allows quick and easy adjustment, removal and reuse.
Can magnetic tape be erased and reused? ›
Magnetic tape provides a compact, economical means of preserving and reproducing varied forms of information. Recordings on tape can be played back immediately and are easily erased, permitting the tape to be reused many times without a loss in quality of recording.…
How do you flatten magnetic tape? ›
The basic principle lies in the idea that by wrapping the wrinkled part of a tape around a mug of hot water or coffee, the warmth will help flatten out the magnetic tape. Similar to how ironing works on your clothes or a straightener on your hair.
