Degaussing: An Introduction
Secure Data Erasure with Degaussing
Degaussing uses a machine to erase data from hard drives and magnetic media by disrupting their magnetic alignment, ensuring secure data destruction.
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.
Degaussing takes its meaning from Johann Gauss (1777-1855) a mathematician who studied and worked on electro-magnetic fields. Data is stored on magnetic media by making very small areas called magnetic domains change their magnetic alignment to be in the direction of an applied magnetic field. Degaussing magnetic media leaves the domains in random patterns with no preference to orientation, thereby rendering previous data unrecoverable. A degausser is therefore used to completely erase all audio, video and data signals from magnetic storage media.
This process is effective in a range of industries including video, audio, computer, broadcast and data security.
Verity Systems DataGauss XL-LG Hard Drive Degausser
Large chamber hard drive degausser
The DataGauss XL-LG degausser destroys both standard and full height hard disk drives, and analog tapes. Data storage devices up to 6½” x 1⅝” x 4½” (165mm x 42mm x 114mm) can be securely erased, quickly and effectively. The unit also comes fitted with the unique Data Destruction Auditor solution which enables the operator to document and verify their data erasure and create tangible, audit-ready reports that confirm complete and secure destruction of each device.Benefits of Using a Degausser
Assurance that all sensitive data has been erased permanently
Disposes classified media quickly, safely and in-house
Improvement in the quality of output
Sizeable savings in operating costs
Meets the NSA and CESG requirements for sanitisation of classified information
Simply overwriting magnetic media does not completely erase data. Only a degausser can remove data 100% and ensure that confidential data is securely and completely erased.
Verity Systems DataGone LG PLUS Degausser
High volume hard drive and tape degausser
The DataGone LG PLUS hard drive degausser not only delivers fast and failsafe erasure of large volumes of hard disk drives and back up tapes, but it also comes fitted with the unique Data Destruction Auditor solution which enables the operator to document and verify their hard drive erasure and create tangible, audit-ready reports that confirm complete and secure data erasure.How does a Degausser work?
It works by passing any magnetic media through a powerful magnet field to rearrange the polarity of the particles, thus completely removing any resemblance of previously recorded data. Although this process of course is simple in theory, in practice, the vast variation of media formats and magnetic densities makes the correct process quite difficult to achieve. The degausser is constructed in such a way as to enable the generated magnetic field to be available to the media when it is transported through it, which can be by physically holding the media and moving it through the field by hand, having it automatically conveyed by a belt transporter or rotated on a motorised spindle.
Different media types require varying magnetic field strength, therefore the coils that generate the magnetic field will also vary depending on this requirement. Generally speaking, a coil is a degausser which should have two to three times the energy rating of the material being degaussed. Where media has a security classification, Restricted, Confidential, Secret or Top Secret, a considerably higher energy rating will be required. This rating is measured in Oersteds after Hans Christian Oersted (1777-1851) who discovered the magnetic qualities of electricity. Further efficiency can be achieved by using more than one coil in multi-axial orientation; this produces a more effective degaussing field. Even better performance can be achieved by rotating the coils or the media during the process.
Operation of Degaussers
The operation of degaussers will vary depending on the type and quality of media and the speed and degree of erasure required. When erasing tapes, either the cassette must move through the magnetic field or you must move a magnetic field over the cassette. In each case, the consistency of the motion, the strength of the field and the distribution of that field over the entire media are what determine the quality of the erasure.
Most professionals and engineers agree that a conveyor transport degausser, which allows the user to place the magnetic media on a small belt, which in turn passes the media through or over the degaussing coils at a constant speed, assures the most uniform process. Custom-designed degaussers can assist with the specialist needs of bulk operators with belt feed conveyors; collection hoppers are available to deal with tapes, disks and reels, all helping in making the operation effective & efficient.
Effective degaussing is very much a performance factor of the machine and generally passing the media through the field twice does not improve the effectiveness. If however the media is rotated by 90 degrees, some improvement can be achieved. We have developed an eraser employing “state of the art” technology that uses a rotating coil technique.
Verity Systems SDD Master NSA/CSS EPL HDD Degausser
NSA/CSS Evaluated Hard Drive Degausser
The SDD Master is an NSA/CSS Evaluated degausser data sanitisation system with a high energy, pulse discharge hard drive eraser that is designed to offer complete and secure erasure of magnetic media to the very highest level. It is listed in the NSA/CSS evaluated product list and accepted by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (Formally CESG) as meeting the highest level degaussing standard.The media passes on a variable speed conveyor belt through a field, generated by two powerful coils, which are rotating, one above the media, the other beneath it.
With the ever-increasing demand to fit more & more data on smaller media, there is now a requirement that can be more important than absolute erasure. That is consistency of erasure.
It is widely understood that data at a high packing density stored on magnetic media is easier to erase than lower density data.
The data signal to noise ratios, bit-to-bit phase relationships, amplitude variations all become more critical and require more sophisticated electronics to ensure valid error free data recovery. Variations of magnetic flux, remaining from a poor erasure cycle, will make data recovery more difficult and will result in increasing errors.
Verity Systems DataGauss LG MAX Hard Drive Degausser
Automatic hard drive degausser
The Datagauss LG Max is a state-of-the-art pulse technology degausser that destroys a comprehensive range of hard drives and analog tapes. Shipped with its integrated data auditing erasure log software, the unit records the full degaussing process and offers businesses a comprehensive on-site destruction capability.Detailed Benefits of Degaussers
The resultant benefits are substantial. Producers of audio and video tapes achieve better yields as well as increased quality. Data users enjoy greater efficiency due to considerably reduced “error rates”. Professional users in every industry, from government to business, benefit from incorporating degaussing within their magnetic media processing procedure and achieve considerable cost savings by being able to confidently reuse again and again media previously discarded. All in all there is a very strong financial and operational case to use degaussers, especially manufactured by Verity Systems.
The controlled application of degaussers to the process involved in the production & operation of magnetic media can achieve considerable savings. For a start, many operators who do not currently degauss, simply throw away suspect media that, with a careful process of degaussing applied to it, would have a considerable extended life. Many operators claim benefit of up to four times the useful life of some types of media.
Further direct & indirect savings can also be achieved. Quality of performance of the media has a very high value, although it would be difficult to qualify. Indirectly, there are additional cost savings to producers and to end users due to the considerable reduction of “down time” of computers and data processing apparatus arising from faulty or imperfect magnetic media being used. Diskette duplicators claim to gain upwards of 25% better production yields directly to degaussing their bulk bland diskettes, prior to processing.
Another benefit is that magnetic media is very difficult to dispose of. If it is burned, it emits toxic fumes, if it is buried, it is not biodegradable. By re-using your media as many times as possible, you are adding you your company’s recycling programme.
The amount of magnetic media used in the broadcast, computer and software industries has resulted in professional users striving to achieve higher quality and efficiency, whilst at the same time searching for cost savings. By degaussing magnetic media using “deep erasure,” created by powerful magnetic fields, users or producers find that previously recorded data, or certification signal can be eliminated completely from tapes, cassettes or cartridges. The effectiveness that this method of erasure achieves far exceeds that of DC erasure (this is the method that is used in hard disk drives).
Points to Consider When Choosing a Degausser
1. Type of media used:
What formats do you need to be degaussed? Different degaussers can handle different types of media.
2. Volume of media:
How much media do you need to degauss and in what sort of timeframe?
3. Density of media:
Magnetic media varies in its density. You will need a degausser with enough power to completely erase data on your media.
4. Type of Operation:
Manual or Automatic. Do you have enough time to erase tapes manually or would you prefer an automated system?
5. Proposed location of degausser:
How much room do you have for a degausser?
Who uses a Degausser?
Radio/Television broadcasters: Enables tape/video recordings to be disposed
IT departments of companies: Allows destruction of back up tapes and safe disposal of information from hard drives
Data Centre & Hosting Companies: Data no longer needed can be easily and efficiently erased on-site
Defence Organisations and Government: Confidential and top secret information can be erased
CCTV Operators: Destruction of records at sensitive locations
Entertainment Industry: Allows the erasure of all recorded file types
Financial Services: Banks and insurance companies can use a degaussers to destroy customer data
Emergency Services: Erasure of patient records
Hospitals: Erase sensitive information held on magnetic media, such as employee, patient data
Universities: Enables erasure and removal of student, staff records
More About Magnetic Media
Magnetic media stores data using magnetic fields and includes devices like hard drives, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes. These storage formats have been widely used for decades due to their high capacity and cost efficiency. However, they are vulnerable to data corruption and security breaches if not properly erased. Degaussing is a reliable method for securely destroying data on magnetic media by disrupting the magnetic alignment of storage particles. This process prevents any possibility of data recovery. As technology advances, securely disposing of outdated magnetic media remains essential for data protection.