Data Destruction with Paul Katzoff

In the past, deleting a file was considered safe data destruction. But we know that it only clears the pointer to the file and not the data itself. Today there are many options when it comes to destroying data even though some harddrives seem almost indestructible.

Today's guest is Paul Katzoff. Paul is the CEO of WhiteCanyon Software where they specialize in data erasure for businesses both corporate and government. These customers need secure data destruction that meets HIPAA and other compliance standards for harddrive and mobile device erasure.

Show Notes:

• [0:54] - Paul gives a background of himself and what WhiteCanyon Software is all about, starting back in 1995.
• [2:02] - Data is becoming more and more important every year and Paul gives examples of current compliance legislation and standards.
• [3:03] - Chris shares a story from years ago regarding purchasing used copiers, scanners, and other devices that unknowingly stored data.
• [4:20] - Paul describes the data exposure that happened with this issue in 2011 as healthcare providers did not know their scanned documents were stored.
• [5:32] - Regarding criminal activity using data on harddrives, Pail explains that more and more people are becoming a little more knowledgeable and on board with data destruction if needed but it hasn't always been that way.
• [6:39] - Paul describes what data destruction has looked like over the years including old technology like floppy disks and tapes.
• [7:32] - Physical destruction only goes so far and software erasure is crucial now.
• [8:11] - When you click "delete," your file is not actually deleted.
• [9:35] - Paul lists multiple erasure patterns and how it worked until about 2013 to erase any device out there.
• [10:21] - There are some new requirements in data destruction that Paul explains and how they have had to adjust to make sure everything is erased.
• [12:29] - WhiteCanyon Software has been working in data destruction for 23 years.
• [13:14] - The current Covid-19 pandemic has complicated data as employees were then working from home and sometimes on a home computer.
• [14:24] - Paul lists the concerns of accessing work networks on their home computers.
• [15:26] - WhiteCanyon offers a product that corporations can send to their employees to click a link to erase their computer and then provides a QR code.
• [16:33] - Regarding mobile devices and phones, your data is stored on that device even with an encryption reset. Paul describes concerns with encryption keys.
• [18:21] - WhiteCanyon provides a certificate that everything has been destroyed. A lot of third party companies that wipe data especially from mobile devices can't actually promise it's completely erased.
• [19:29] - One of the huge issues with data is once it leaves your facility sitting on a device, it can pop up a decade later.
• [20:20] - Chris points out that data erasure is a "hard sell" for IT to bring forward to their company. Paul explains that it is certainly a cost because it doesn't earn a company any money.
• [21:59] - Paul explains what needs to be done to properly erase data on a nonworking drive.
• [23:08] - If you would like to physically destroy a harddrive, Paul explains what he recommends. If you'd like it destroyed for you, there is a cost.
• [24:35] - What most consumers can do for shredding home computers is search for companies that process second-hand computers and they have shredders on site.
• [26:15] - Because harddrives hold so much, data destruction can take a lot of time. But if it is an SSD, it is far quicker to completely erase.
• [27:50] - Chris and Paul discuss new devices that now hold data, including refrigerators.
• [29:02] - WhiteCanyon offers two free downloads with the coupon code "homefree" to wipe a home computer or device. They offer this because they know everyone has several old computers or devices holed away that could be useful elsewhere.
• [30:39] - Paul points out that data recovery software is free online so if data is not properly destroyed, it can be recovered by whoever has your harddrive.
• [31:30] - Although we still store data on devices, network storage is extremely popular which makes things easier regarding data destruction for some consumers.
• [32:04] - Paul strongly recommends pushing for harsher legislation for data protection and explains why this is crucial.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.

Links and Resources:

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• WipeDrive Home Edition Free with Coupon Code "HOMEFREE"
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