You've accessed confidential information remotely. How do you ensure its secure disposal?

1 Secure Deletion

When you're finished with confidential data, simply deleting files or emails isn't enough. To securely dispose of the information, you should use a digital shredding tool that overwrites the data multiple times. This makes it virtually impossible to recover the information. Ensure that the tool you choose meets recognized standards, such as the U.S. Department of Defense's DoD 5220.22-M standard, which requires overwriting data three times. Additionally, if you're using a cloud service, check their policy on data deletion to ensure that the files are also removed from their servers.

2 Encryption Keys

If the confidential information was encrypted, managing the encryption keys becomes crucial for secure disposal. After deleting the encrypted data, you should also destroy the keys. Without them, the data, even if somehow recovered, remains unreadable. Use a key management platform or process that allows for secure deletion of keys and ensures that they cannot be reconstructed or recovered by unauthorized individuals.

3 Remote Wiping

For devices that may have stored confidential information temporarily, such as smartphones or tablets used for remote access, consider using remote wiping capabilities. This feature allows you to send a command that will erase all data on the device, making it an effective method for secure disposal. It's important to have this set up in advance in case the device is lost or stolen, and to confirm that the wipe has been successful.

5 Policy Review

Having a clear policy in place for the secure disposal of confidential information is essential. This policy should outline the steps and procedures that must be followed and be regularly reviewed to keep up with technological advances and emerging threats. Training and awareness for all team members who handle sensitive information are also crucial components of a robust policy. Make sure everyone understands the importance of secure disposal and knows how to execute it properly.

6 Audit Trails

Maintaining an audit trail is an important aspect of secure information disposal. An audit trail is a record that shows who has accessed the information and when, and it should also document the disposal process. This can be invaluable in demonstrating compliance with data protection regulations and can help identify any potential breaches or weaknesses in your disposal procedures. Ensure that your audit trails are thorough and stored securely themselves.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?