Hard Drive Destruction

News
SEM Systems turn hard drives into scrap metal

Hard Drive Destruction

July 23, 2003
Do's and Don'ts

WESTBORO,MA - Hard drive disposal has become a hot topic over the past 2-3 years for the defense community and private sector. As personnel computers advance and older units become obsolete disposal of sensitive information still left on the hard drive even after erasing, is of serious concern, which prohibits simply throwing the drive away.

Current methods for destruction or defacing prior to disposal are effective but primitive and labor intensive. These methods include everything from drilling, crushing and removing the platter for sanding or grinding. SEM was approached 2 years ago to develop a machine to destroy the platter without removing it from the drive case. Through testing several combinations, exploring alternate materials and working out safety concerns we enhanced two of our current Disintegrator’s (industrial shredders) to successfully destroy the platter and case. One-step destruction is very viable and cost effective. However, as in all forms of destruction, read more here