Overview:  Data encryption is an additional security measure that guards against unauthorized access to private data kept on disks. But is it possible to delete the media that holds encrypted data? All of your questions regarding drive encryption, its erasure, and how to reuse the drives after data sanitization will be addressed in this article.

Encryption is the procedure of moving data from plaintext (unencrypted) to ciphertext (encrypted), an incomprehensible code, to avoid unauthorized entrance. Without an encryption key or password, encrypted data cannot be accessed. In the unlikely event that unauthorized access is somehow allowed to a PC network or storage device, encryption provides a supported level of protection. In this condition, the hacker is unable to access the data.

Varieties of Encryption: Hardware and Software

Both hardware- and software-based encryption techniques are available for encrypting data on the disks. Data on a storage drive is encrypted using a software encryption program, which generates a special key and stores it on the computer's memory and storage drive. A passphrase that the user needs to provide to access the encrypted data hashes this computer-generated key. Before being shown to the program or user, data written to the drive is encrypted using the key and decrypted using the same key. Software can be encrypted using the built-in security features of the operating system, such as Windows BitLocker, or by using third-party software utilities, such as LastPass, VeraCrypt, DiskCryptor, etc.

Occasionally, the disk is encrypted using the tool that the drive manufacturer offers. Self-encrypting drives, also referred to as SEDs, are such drives. Hardware-based encryption is the term for this. Self-encrypting drives, often known as SEDs, are HDDs or SSDs that automatically encrypt and decrypt data as it is written or read by the user. The onboard AES encryption chip of the SEDs generates random data encryption keys (DEK), which are used to encrypt and decrypt data when they are read and written, respectively.

In contrast to software-based encryption, which requires user input, SEDs automatically encrypt the data. Being separate from the operating system and guarding against hacker access, SEDs are very secure. Through hardware encryption, the operating system and the system BIOS are separated by encryption. Once the device has booted, a customized BIOS prompts the user for a passphrase to unlock the drive's content.

Securely Wipe Encrypted Drives to Make It Reusable

While encryption is one of the most popular ways to protect business-critical data from data theft, it is advised to wipe the encrypted drive using data erasure software when the data is no longer needed to avoid data compromise and the negative effects of data breaches.

You can use a certified media sanitization tool like CubexSoft Data Wipe Tool to completely erase encrypted devices that were protected using software or hardware-based encryption. With this software, the whole encrypted data on hard drives and SSDs with software-based encryption can be permanently deleted, making the disc usable as a brand-new storage device. CubexSoft Data Wipe guarantees that all data, including the operating system, is successfully deleted. The method of data destruction is then followed by a check to make sure that all addressable areas on the drive have been successfully deleted.

Once the hard drive has a password protected, the BIOS password must be unlocked to open the device and perform an erasure. 

Self-Encrypting Drive Wiping

By deleting the cryptography or Disk Encryption keys (DEK), the SEDs can be erased without actually erasing the items that are kept inside. The data is unavailable and unrecoverable without the encryption key. Thus, one of the quickest methods to sanitize encrypted data is cryptographic erasure. Therefore, data can still be recovered by several flaws and human mistakes, cryptographic erasure has intrinsic limits. Therefore, protecting encrypted data on deleted drives is not a foolproof approach because the data is still present on the storage medium and is still susceptible.

CubexSoft Drive Eraser software helps erase SSDs & SEDs by providing the benefit of combining cryptographic erase with data overwriting using its NIST 800-88 Purge erasing method, adding an extra level of protection to the entire data sanitization process. To remove any weaknesses, you can sanitize encrypted data while also destroying the encryption keys. The software's digitally generated reports and certificates of destruction serve as audit trails and assist you in meeting your compliance requirements. Thus, CubexSoft Data Wipe satisfies all of your requirements for securely wiping encrypted hard drives, SSDs, and SEDs, allowing you to reuse the drives and achieve sustainability.

Know More Advanced Benefits of CubexSoft Data Wipe Software

• Batch Erasure: The data erasure tool allows users to erase multiple drives simultaneously or in a batch mode, which can be useful for IT professionals and businesses.
• Reports and Certificates: The software generates reports or certificates after the erasure process, providing evidence that data has been securely wiped.
• User-Friendly Interface: The software can provide an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to choose drives for erasure and configure erasure settings.
• File or Drive Wiping: The CubexSoft Data Wipe tool gives the option to wipe complete drives or specific files/folders. Drive wiping is more comprehensive and ensures that all items on the drives are deleted, while file wiping is more targeted.
• Data Erasure Algorithms: CubexSoft Data Wipe software offers various erasure algorithms that determine how comprehensively the data is overwritten on the storage devices. Here are the common algorithms mentioned DoD 5220.22-M, Gutmann, and random data overwriting.
• Support for Various Storage Devices: The software can support a wide range of storage devices, including hard drives, solid-state drives, USB drives, memory cards, etc.
• Secure Data Erasure: The software offers multiple algorithms and techniques for securely erasing data from storage devices to prevent data recovery.
• Compatibility: The application was compatible with both Mac OS and Windows Operating systems and storage media types.
• Support: Timely customer support can be crucial if you encounter any issues or have questions while using the tool.

The Concluding Words!

Businesses are integrating their data protection and data security policies to safeguard their priceless data through the usage of encrypted devices at a time when data breaches are often reported. A layer of protection is added by data encryption and the development of SED technology to stop hackers from gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information. The correct data destruction procedure, ideally data erasure, should be used to permanently sanitize these encrypted devices before disposal by the organizations. Wipe To encourage device recycling and repurposing, encrypted hard drives are used.