Data may be safely cleaned by degaussing or shredding, respectively. While the first two are great, especially if you need data but can’t get it back.

First, degaussing is one of the methods for permanently erasing data and is pertinent for different tapes and disks depending on how the magnetic domains on the medium are aligned.

To store data on magnetic media, magnetic domains, which are exceedingly small areas, adjust their magnetic alignment to point in the direction of an applied magnetic field. Without establishing a priority or allowing the recovery of older data, this media completely disregards the domain of their patterns. In contrast, it is used to delete all data, including pictures, audio, and video.

Background on Degaussing

The second world war saw the introduction of the degaussing procedure. Its main objective was to eliminate magnetic traces of ships. German magnetic mines were used against the British navy, although they were unsuccessful.

The mines could sense a change when a ship’s steel concentrated the Earth’s magnetic field over it. During that time, Carl Friedrich Gauss coined this phrase.

Degaussing’s Operation

Degaussing is first used to create a controlled magnetic field to erase important data. To remove the information from the media source, it is helpful to examine the depth of the data and information before beginning the degaussing process. The polarization of the Weiss domain names is a critical component of the physical theory behind degaussing. Magnetic media is used to store hard disks and tapes, where magnetic domains, mainly Weiss domain names, are subjected to an electromagnetic field.

The degausser’s performance and ability to be used on novel hard drives and other magnetic media will increase with increasing degausser power.

The degausser is designed to allow the media to use the electromagnetic field created when it is transported with it. We can complete a hard drive by physically carrying the press while moving through the area by hand, transporting it instantly by a belt transporter, or turning on a motorized pin.

How do I proceed after degaussing this?

All equipment is rendered worthless following the degaussing procedure. The appearance of the hard disk drive remains unchanged after degaussing. If you want to delete information permanently, the change in the magnetic domain causes long-lasting and irreparable damage.

Advantages of Degaussers

Degaussers provide several advantages, including higher yields and higher-quality output for audio and video producers. Degaussing is beneficial for businesses and the government because it allows them to process magnetic media more cheaply and safely by repeatedly using previously discarded media.

Degaussers may save much money when appropriately used in magnetic media operations and manufacturing procedures. Many operators today who don’t degauss throw away suspect media that, if rigorously degaussed, would have a noticeably longer lifespan.

The difficulty of disposing of magnetic media is another benefit. It is not biodegradable when buried, and burning it releases dangerous fumes. Support your company’s recycling initiative by making the most of your media device’s reusability. Additionally, manufacturers and consumers are aware that it is possible to minimize from different tapes and cassettes, also known as the techniques typically used in hard disk drives, with the aid of deep erasure that is generated by magnetic fields.

Last but not least, ensuring security when mass recycling those degaussed media drives without worrying about sensitive data getting into the wrong hands.

What should I consider before buying a degausser?

You must first be familiar with the different media kinds. Second, you must know the precise media volume at a given moment. To determine if you have enough power to manually clean cassettes, for example, you need to feel or know the media’s density and the operation’s sorts.

Various Degausser types

When it comes to degaussers, there are generally 3 different types:

• Coil Degausser
• Capacitive Discharge Degausser
• Permanent Magnet Degausser

What is Degaussing and how it works?

You will likely have this question if you utilize an SSD and want to delete all of its data. The short answer is that degaussing SSD does not work, which is regrettable.

Solid-state disks provide a unique problem because of the possibility of data loss. The process of guaranteeing that data cannot be retrieved and used maliciously is known as data destruction. When destroying data, the electronic media is frequently deleted or repeatedly filled with random data until we can no longer recover the original data. However, this is not the case with SSDs.

Degaussing: What precisely is it?

Degaussing is a method for deleting data physically by eliminating magnetic fields. Information is stored on hard drives and other magnetic domain storage devices, which makes this technology practical. Degaussing SSD may delete the data stored on hard drives and other appropriate storage media by neutralizing these magnetic domains.

Why is degaussing ineffective for SSDs?

The main limitation of degaussing is that people can only use it for equipment that stores data magnetically. Instead of employing magnetic domains to store data, solid-state drives (SSDs) use flash memory chips. Therefore, the method doesn’t work with SSDs. Degaussing does not significantly affect other flash-based storage media, such as USB drives and memory cards.

Users should consider alternatives to degaussing when permanently erasing data from traditional hard drives. The essential functionality of magnetic storage devices is disrupted by degaussing, a pricey option that also renders the drives worthless. It might be difficult to defend this regarding sustainability or the environment.

Degaussing substitutes for wiping SSDs

SSDs are a highly sought-after storage device option for many organizations since they are quicker, more dependable, and consume much less power, particularly in contrast to hard disk drives. Companies need to be aware of the effective methods for SSD data sanitization, given the popularity of SDDs. As we’ve already mentioned, degaussing SSD disks is a fruitless process. So, here are some options for you to consider.

Removing the SSD Physically 

Deleting SSDs, which renders the data unrecoverable, enables businesses to comply with data protection laws. However, even after merely creating tiny holes in the storage media, little spots may still expose some data because of how SSDs are built and set up. To damage the memory chips within the SSD, it is essential to pound the entire SSD. Disintegrating, shredding, and burning are different methods for physically destroying devices to ensure data erasure.

The benefit of physical destruction is that it makes it impossible for anyone to ever recover the data from the SSD by any means. One of the most common ways to physically destroy a hard drive—which also works on SSD—is to shred it. We can also use a hammer and other standard household tools to smash SSDs, making this method accessible. However, it also implies that your business won’t have access to a different SSD storage device. There is a chance that hackers could recover the data if the device is not adequately destroyed or disposed of.

However, the main disadvantage of physical destruction over degaussing SSD is that it is not sustainable or ecologically friendly. The broken item increases the risks associated with electronic waste. Businesses also need to budget for new storage systems to replace damaged ones.

Using Software for Data Erasure

Data erasure is cleaning data that entails using software to overwrite a storage device. By covering it with a non-sensitive binary pattern, data erasure renders sensitive data on a storage device unrecoverable. Data erasure is a practical method of sanitization that people may use with magnetic and flash-based storage systems. Data erasure is necessary so that the process can replace confidential data. It is suitable for many devices, including SSDs, flash memory cards, floppy disk drives, and hard drives.

Since data erasure has no physical impact on the device, businesses and individuals can reuse the gadget and sell it on the open market. Data erasure keeps the device’s functional and financial value intact. Therefore, encouraging the reuse of current storage media devices reduces the amount of generated e-waste.

SSD being pierced

Puncturing SSDs is slightly different than shredding, albeit both involve physical activity. The data on hard disks and the chips they contain are destroyed by being punched with many pins by a press that inserts drives into machinery.

The drive is covered with holes, and all memory chips have been damaged.