Guide on How to Delete Data Stored in Hard Drives

Data security is of paramount importance to the University, and this includes the sanitization and deletion of data kept in various types of storage devices.

Below are the recommended Industry-standard data storage deletion guidelines as provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

In said NIST guidelines, the terms “Clear” and “Destroy” are used to refer to the different methods of erasing data from storage devices.

CLEAR

This method involves using software or hardware products to overwrite storage space on the media with non-sensitive data. However, this method might not necessarily address data in hidden or inaccessible areas of the storage.

• Storage media and devices this method can be used for: Floppy disks, disk drives, hard drives, flash media (USB sticks, memory cards, SSDs).
• When to CLEAR: This method is recommended if the storage media/device can still be accessed using a computer.

To CLEAR your drives/disks, you may refer to these links:

• How to format a hard drive: https://www.avg.com/en/signal/how-to-format-hard-drive
• For erasing a storage device on MacOS, make sure that you click SECURITY OPTIONS and select the number of times to write over the erased data: https://support.apple.com/en-ph/guide/disk-utility/dskutl14079/mac
• For erasing data in Windows: https://www.howtogeek.com/751529/how-to-wipe-a-drive-on-windows-10-or-windows-11/

DESTROY

This method involves physically destroying the storage media or device through a variety of methods ranging from pulverizing to melting and incineration.

• Storage media and devices this method can be used for: Floppy disks, hard disk drives, optical disks, flash media (USB sticks, memory cards, SSDs).
• When to DESTROY: This method is recommended if the storage media/device cannot be accessed using a computer.

To DESTROY drives/disks, you may watch these videos:

• Destroying an external hard drive:
  https://youtu.be/Js91b5sNM0k
• Destroying a hard drive/disk:
  https://youtu.be/ynk6Ij_OuXI
  https://youtu.be/UShK_UutzPQ

Users are expected to use ONE of the TWO methods described above.

For more information about the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines on storage deletion, please go here: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2006/08/how-guide-removing-data-storage-media

Should you need technical support on IT equipment and devices and data deletion, please contact the following:

For UP System Offices/Units: https://ictsupport.up.edu.ph/
For CU Offices/Units: https://itdc.up.edu.ph/contact-us#cu-it-support