--- title: Common Methods Of Asset Disposal And Data Erasure description: Are you looking for an asset disposal company to secure your data? Make sure you are aware of the common asset disposal methods beforehand! image: https://blog.absoluteitad.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Common_Methods_Of_Asset_Disposal_And_Data_Erasure.jpg --- [Get Quote](https://www.absoluteitad.com/contact-us) - - - - - - **Email:** [info@absoluteitad.com](mailto:info@absoluteitad.com) **Phone:** [01332 371 989](tel:01332371989) [![absolute-it-ad-logo](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/absolute-it-ad-logo.png?width=479&name=absolute-it-ad-logo.png "absolute-it-ad-logo")](https://www.absoluteitad.com/) - [Home](https://www.absoluteitad.com) - [About](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [About Us](https://www.absoluteitad.com/about-us) - [Reviews](https://www.absoluteitad.com/reviews) - [Careers](https://www.absoluteitad.com/careers) - [Licenses & Certificates](https://www.absoluteitad.com/licenses-certificates) - [IT Asset Disposal](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [IT Asset Disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/it-asset-disposal) - [What is IT Asset Disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/what-is-it-asset-disposal) - [How does IT asset disposal work?](https://www.absoluteitad.com/how-does-it-asset-disposal-work) - [How does collection work?](https://www.absoluteitad.com/how-does-collection-work) - [Computer Equipment Disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/computer-equipment-disposal) - [Computer Recycling And Disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/computer-recycling-and-disposal) - [How To Dispose Of Old Computers](https://www.absoluteitad.com/how-to-dispose-of-old-computers) - [IT Equipment Recycling](https://www.absoluteitad.com/IT-equipment-recycling) - Secure Computer Recycling - [Sustainability](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [Sustainability](https://www.absoluteitad.com/sustainability) - [Environment](https://www.absoluteitad.com/environmental-policy) - [WEEE](https://www.absoluteitad.com/weee-directive-policy) - [Supply Chain](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [Supply Chain](https://www.absoluteitad.com/supply-chain) - [Office Relocation](https://www.absoluteitad.com/office-relocation) - [Secure Collection](https://www.absoluteitad.com/secure-collections) - [Returns Management](https://www.absoluteitad.com/returns-management) - [Asset Reporting](https://www.absoluteitad.com/asset-reporting) - [Data Sanitisation](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/#) - [Data Sanitisation](https://www.absoluteitad.com/data-sanitisation) - [How We Ensure Data Security](https://www.absoluteitad.com/how-we-ensure-data-security) - [Offsite Data Sanitisation](https://www.absoluteitad.com/offsite-data-sanitisation) - [Your Legal Responsibilities](https://www.absoluteitad.com/your-legal-responsibilities) - [Decommissioning](https://www.absoluteitad.com/decommissioning) - [Blog](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal) - [Contact](https://www.absoluteitad.com/contact-us) # The Absolute IT Asset Disposal Blog # Common Methods Of Asset Disposal And Data Erasure 11 October,2016 |No Comment ![Common_Methods_Of_Asset_Disposal_And_Data_Erasure.jpg](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Common_Methods_Of_Asset_Disposal_And_Data_Erasure.jpg?width=594&height=419&name=Common_Methods_Of_Asset_Disposal_And_Data_Erasure.jpg) Depending on the items an [asset disposal company](https://www.absoluteitad.com/) deals with, there may be several processes involved. When you’re looking for a company to help ensure the security of your data, the following methods are important to be aware of so that you can choose the company best equipped to meet your needs.   ## [![Click here to download our FREE guide: '7 Crucial Steps To Follow When Disposing Of Old IT Equipment'](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1764394/8ee6b928-2761-4157-9bf2-2c44947f337e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1764394/8ee6b928-2761-4157-9bf2-2c44947f337e) ## Sensitive Information   In cases where sensitive information is located on hard drives, a multi-step process may be involved that begins with the removal of hard drives from company equipment. With Absolute IT, this can take place either onsite at your premises, or at our secure data handling facility.   ## Asset Tracking   Once assets have left your premises for transportation to a recycling facility, it is vital that your partner tracks each asset effectively. Tracking can occur by giving each piece of equipment a unique identifier. This allows each item to be tracked at every stage of the recycling process.   ## Crushing   Hard drives containing sensitive information can also be crushed. Once the HDDs are removed, each serial number is scanned and recorded before being loaded for crushing. With the right equipment, complete physical destruction of hard drives from PCs, servers and laptops can take a matter of seconds. Following crushing, the drives may then be removed from site and taken for component recycling.   ## Visual Inspection   For an added layer of security, we will visually inspect destroyed items after they’ve gone through one of the aforementioned processes. If an item is identified as damaged and not destroyed, it may need to undergo further assessment. This usually occurs by placing damaged items in a sealed-off area until further inspection can occur.   ## Electrical Testing   Equipment deemed as ‘destroyed’ may go through the process of electrical, or PAT testing. Several methods can be used for this, including insulation testing, functional checks and earth continuity tests. The test results are interpreted by a knowledgeable individual, and further testing conducted if necessary.   ## Normal Operations Testing   Should any drive pass PAT testing, they may then undergo further testing to see whether or not they are still operating normally. Self-tests may be initiated, and further investigation may be needed if the outcome isn’t deemed to be acceptable. The outcome for each piece of equipment is then registered on the list of client assets.   Although these represent just a few of the ways that hard drives containing sensitive information can be safely and effectively destroyed, ensuring that your [asset disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/it-asset-disposal) company offers most of them will keep your data safe from prying eyes.   For more information about our data security services and how we can help you, please send us a message through our online enquiry form.   [![How To Dispose of Old IT Equipment](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1764394/8e87f2ae-b489-4f8b-9b41-ede5094c94f6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1764394/8e87f2ae-b489-4f8b-9b41-ede5094c94f6) ### Subscribe to Email Updates [![Dispose of Old IT Equipment](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1764394/9115ae3d-aade-4473-b262-b4f4ddc82938.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1764394/9115ae3d-aade-4473-b262-b4f4ddc82938) ### Follow Us ### Archives - [July 2019 (6)](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal/archive/2019/07) - [September 2019 (6)](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal/archive/2019/09) - [November 2016 (5)](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal/archive/2016/11) - [January 2017 (5)](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal/archive/2017/01) - [March 2017 (5)](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal/archive/2017/03) - [June 2017 (5)](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal/archive/2017/06) ### Most recent post Search this site on Google Search Google ![Blancco - certified data erasure software](http://www.absoluteitad.com/catalog/view/theme/absoluteit/img/acred-1.jpg) ![accreditation 2](http://www.absoluteitad.com/catalog/view/theme/absoluteit/img/acred-2.jpg) ![accreditation - ADISA](http://www.absoluteitad.com/catalog/view/theme/absoluteit/img/acred-3.jpg) ![accreditation - EMB](http://www.absoluteitad.com/catalog/view/theme/absoluteit/img/acred-4.jpg) ![accreditation - ACM](http://www.absoluteitad.com/catalog/view/theme/absoluteit/img/acred-5.jpg) ![accreditation - Data Protection Act](http://www.absoluteitad.com/catalog/view/theme/absoluteit/img/acred-6.jpg) ![accreditation - Environment Agency](http://www.absoluteitad.com/catalog/view/theme/absoluteit/img/acred-7.jpg) ![accreditation - ICO](http://www.absoluteitad.com/catalog/view/theme/absoluteit/img/acred-8.jpg) ![Absolute IT Asset Disposals - Logo](https://www.absoluteitad.com/catalog/view/theme/absoluteit/img/logo-footer.png) - - - - - - ## Menu - [About](https://www.absoluteitad.com/about-us) - [IT Asset Disposal](https://www.absoluteitad.com/it-asset-disposal) - [Sustainability](https://www.absoluteitad.com/sustainability) - [Supply Chain](https://www.absoluteitad.com/supply-chain) - [Data Sanitisation](https://www.absoluteitad.com/data-sanitisation) - [Blog](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/asset-disposal) - [Contact](https://www.absoluteitad.com/contact-us) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.absoluteitad.com/privacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.absoluteitad.com/terms-and-conditions) ## Address **Absolute Asset Disposals Ltd** Parker Centre, Parker Industrial Estate, Mansfield Road, Derby, DE21 4SZ **Tel:** [01332 371 989](tel:01332371989) **Email:** [info@absoluteitad.com](mailto:info@absoluteitad.com) © 2016 Absolute Asset Disposal Ltd. 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