How Can You Permanently Erase Data on Hard Drives, SSDs and USB Drives?

The rise of data breaches has made it critical to ensure that old storage devices are securely wiped before disposal or reuse. Simply deleting files or formatting a drive often leaves traces of data that can be recovered. Fidelity Height’s Opal Lock, a drive security management application, provides an effective solution for securely and permanently erasing data from hard drives, SSDs, and USB drives.

Secure Erasure Mechanism

Opal Lock is built on the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) standards, utilizing full-disk encryption for data security. It offers a high-speed and secure method to permanently erase data by using a drive’s built-in encryption features. When the erasure process is executed, the encryption key for the drive is destroyed, rendering the data on the drive inaccessible and unrecoverable.

Opal Lock provides a tamper-proof “Certificate of Sanitization” after completing the erasure process, confirming secure data deletion. Additionally, Opal Lock supports a wide range of drive types, including internal and external SSDs, hard drives, and USB drives, offering versatility and reliability for diverse data management needs.

For internal hard drives and SSDs, simply access the Opal Lock interface, select the drive, and confirm the Erase Data operation. Finally, download the “Certificate of Sanitization” for compliance or record-keeping.

For USB drives, plug the drive into your system, open Opal Lock, and follow the same steps as for internal drives to start the erasure process. Once complete, simply disconnect the USB drive.

After securely wiping a drive, the drive will be ready for use like a new blank drive. There will be no previous data remaining.

Prevent Data Breaches

Many disposed or resold drives retain recoverable data, including browser histories, personal files, and confidential records. Opal Lock ensures that all data is irreversibly erased and protects you from potential breaches.

Meet Compliance Standards

For organizations dealing with sensitive information, Opal Lock provides a reliable way to meet regulatory requirements for data disposal, complete with a “Certificate of Sanitization.”

Flexible Licensing Options

Opal Lock offers flexible licensing options to suit different needs. The USB License is perfect for small-scale users handling up to five USB drives. The Standard License supports both internal and external drives, ideal for professionals and small businesses. For enterprises managing multiple drives, the Premium License provides advanced features like multiple password support.

With Opal Lock, securely erasing data from SSDs, hard drives, and USB drives is straightforward, fast and effective. By leveraging its encryption-based erasure mechanism, you can ensure that sensitive information is permanently destroyed and irretrievable. Whether you’re an individual safeguarding personal data or an enterprise meeting stringent security standards, Opal Lock offers the tools you need for your peace of mind.

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