Media Degaussing
On-site Degaussing for all magnetic media.
Galaxy offers a flexible on or off-site degaussing service for all types of magentic storage media. Our portable degausser has a 22, 000 gauss rating (2.2 tonne) magnetic strength rating: more than 10 times the magnetic field of the average hard disk drive, and is compliant with PCI DSS, NIST HIPPAA, PIEDA and HMG CESG I5 Standards.
Powerful & permanent.
Degaussing completely destroys the data stored on magnetic media, and renders the media unusable by totally and permanently disrupting the magnetic field.
The process is effective on magnetic hard disks, tape media, floppy disks and magnetic credit cards.
Each data carriers can be degaussed in less than 5 seconds, and an exact record provided, including date, time, serial number, media type and classification.
Flexible solutions.
Like our shredding service, our degaussing can be undertaken on- or off-site.
We offer a variety of options in order to provide an efficient, convenient service for all types of Customer requirements:
Degauss on-site, shred off-site
Degauss and shred on-site
Degauss and shred off-site
We invite Customers to observe the entire process, as it happens.
A bit more info …
What is degaussing?
The term "degaussing" refers to the use of a megnetic field to destroy data. Magnetic storage media - such as hard disks and tapes - use magnetisation to record data as positive or negative polarities (0 and 1 states). The data is "read" by read/write heads which can detect these magnetic fields.
Degaussing entirely disrupts the magnetic fields to scramble the data; and the data cannot ever be recovered as the magentic field no longer exists.
What types of storage media can be degaussed?
Any magnetic storage media - such as hard disk drives, magnetic tapes,floppy disks, and magnetic stripes on credit cards - can be degaussed.
Degaussing is not effective on solid state memory, such as SSD cards or USB sticks.
What is the magnetic strength of the degausser?
Galaxy's degausser has a magentic strength rating (measured in gauss) of 22,000. Industry best practice states that the gauss rating should be twice the magnetic force of the data carrier. Galaxy's degausser has a gauss rating of 22, 000 gausses - or 2.2 tonnes (4850.17 pounds). The average hard drive has a magnetic force of 450 pounds.
Why is degaussing useful
Galaxy's degausser is portable and plugs into a standard electric socket - so degaussing can be done on-site. Customers can be sure that their data has been destroyed , and the data carriers rendered unusable, before they are shredded.
How does degaussing differ from data erasure?
Degaussing can only be used on magnetic storage media, and renders the magnetic storage media unusable as the magnetic field is destroyed.
Data erasure can be used for some magnetic data carreirs (hard drives) and all solid state media. The storage medica can be re-used afterwards.
Degaussing is a quicker process than erasure; and if the Customer definitely wants their data carriers shredded, then it is a quick and effective way of destroying the data on-site. Shredding can then occur off-site.
Can I watch the process?
Yes! Customers are welcome to watch the entire process, from start to finish, as it happens whether at their premesis or at Galaxy's facility.
Will Galaxy list degaussing on the Evidence Certificate?
Every data carrier that has been deguassed will be listed on the final Evidence Certificate as "degaussed" plus any other action undertaken, e.g. degaussed and shredded on-site," or "degaussed on-site, shredded off-site."
If requested - Galaxy can retrieve an extensive report from the degausser, which provides the date, exact time, classification, media type, serial number, Employee initials and action (i.e. degaussing).
