--- title: Data Erasure Vs Physical Data Destruction description: Data erasure data destruction image: https://blog.absoluteitad.com/hubfs/shredded-paper.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 # Data Erasure Vs Physical Data Destruction 17 March,2016 |No Comments ![shredded-paper](https://blog.absoluteitad.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shredded-paper.jpg?width=640&name=shredded-paper.jpg) When it comes to retiring data-bearing devices, security must be at the forefront. Allowing unused equipment to sit in storage poses a serious threat to your organisation's security and reputation. Take control of your companies security and eradicate all your data-bearing devices through data erasure. However, an important question arises. What method of data erasure is the best process for your business: data wipe or physical data destruction? [![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) If the IT assets still hold value the best option is a data wipe. Data wipes allow your organisation to reuse the erased devices or sell them to add additional funds to your budget. In addition to resell values, data wipes are environmentally friendly and can be performed in-house, eliminating the risk of stolen data during storage. The tools behind data wipes provides extensive reports with detailed data such as hard drive serial numbers, information on erased devices, technicians and errors.   On the other hand, if the retired IT assets don't hold value, physical data destruction is the best option. Physical data destruction is an effective way of destroying data because it covers large amounts of devices at once. Physical data destruction is typically performed by a shredder that can scrap different types of media at the same time. Absolute IT refers to physical data destruction as a "must have security tool."   Both methods are an effective way of eradicating your organisations data. However, the main determining factor of which option is best depends on the fair market value of the equipment. If it holds value, wipe it, If it holds zero value, destroy it.   If your company needs assistance in the data erasure process, Absolute IT provides recycling and destruction services. 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