Data Erasure Services: The Definitive Guide for UK Businesses
Deleting a file merely sends it to the recycle bin. Formatting a drive only hides the data from the operating system. To be GDPR compliant, businesses must use professional Data Erasure Services.
For UK businesses in 2026, this distinction is not just technical; it is legal. A recent study by the ICO found that 67% of second-hand hard drives sold online still contained personally identifiable information (PII). With potential GDPR fines reaching £17.5 million, relying on a “factory reset” is a gamble no Director or IT Manager should take.
At Tech Scrubbers, we believe that true security goes hand-in-hand with sustainability. This guide will explain exactly what Certified Data Erasure is, how it protects you under UK law, and why it is the only responsible choice for your retired IT assets.
In This Guide:
1. What are Professional Data Erasure Services?
Data Erasure Services utilise specialist software to overwrite the data on a storage device (HDD, SSD, or mobile) across 100% of its sectors. Unlike a standard “delete” command, this process verifies that the data is irretrievably destroyed while keeping the hardware intact.
To be compliant, the process must adhere to recognised international standards. At Tech Scrubbers, our Manchester-based operations align with the two most rigorous protocols in the industry:
NIST 800-88 (Global Gold Standard)
The National Institute of Standards and Technology defines three levels:
- Clear: Overwriting user-addressable storage. Sufficient for most standard business devices.
- Purge: Uses firmware commands to remove data from hidden areas. Required for highly sensitive data.
- Destroy: Physical destruction (Shredding) when the device cannot be reused.
HMG InfoSec Standard No. 5
The UK Government’s own standard for data sanitisation, used by government departments.
- Baseline: Involves a 1-pass overwrite verification.
- Enhanced: A complex 3-pass overwrite verification for higher security classifications (OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE).
The Proof is in the Paperwork
Any company can claim they wiped your drive. Only a certified partner provides a Certificate of Destruction that stands up to a GDPR audit.
CERTIFICATE
Asset Details:
1x Dell Latitude 5420 / SN: 8H2K92J
HDD Serial: WDC-WX41A…
STATUS: ERASED & VERIFIED
Example of the documentation you receive for every serialised asset.
2. GDPR & The Law: Your Obligations
Under the UK Data Protection Act (2018) and GDPR, you are legally responsible for data until it is irretrievably destroyed.
Article 17: Right to Erasure
Often called the “Right to be Forgotten,” this article mandates that personal data must be erased without delay when it is no longer necessary. Simply storing old hard drives in a cupboard violates this principle.
Article 32: Security of Processing
This article requires you to implement technical measures to ensure security. Using professional data erasure services demonstrates due diligence and compliance to the ICO.
3. The Chain of Custody: How We Protect You
Security isn’t just about software; it’s about logistics. From the moment our team leaves our Stretford, Manchester facility to collect your equipment, every step is tracked.
Secure Collection
GPS-tracked vans and uniformed staff collect your assets directly from your premises. We provide a waste transfer note immediately.
Transit & Audit
Assets are transported to our secure facility (CCTV monitored 24/7) and logged into our asset management system.
The Wipe
Professional software overwrites all data. If a drive fails verification, it is physically shredded to 6mm particles.
Certification
You receive your Certificate of Destruction and the hardware enters the reuse stream, supporting the circular economy.
4. Sustainability: The “Secure Ecology” Approach
Many businesses assume that physical destruction (shredding) is the most secure method. While effective, it is environmentally costly. Shredding a hard drive destroys the magnets, the aluminium, and the circuitry, turning a functional piece of technology into scrap metal.
Data Erasure extends the life of tech.
By choosing software-based erasure, you allow that laptop or server to be refurbished and reused. This supports the Circular Economy, reduces the demand for mining new rare earth materials, and significantly lowers your company’s carbon footprint.
Manufacturing a single laptop releases approximately 331kg of CO2. Extending its life by just one year significantly reduces its environmental impact.
Specific Solutions for Every Device
Not all memory is created equal. A server RAID array requires a different erasure protocol than an iPhone. We offer bespoke data erasure services for:
Servers & Data Centres
We handle complex RAID arrays and SANs. For high-security environments, we offer on-site erasure, meaning the data never leaves your server room until it is destroyed.
Mobiles & Tablets
Factory resets often fail to clear associated cloud accounts (like iCloud locks). Our software removes these locks and sanitises the flash storage permanently.
SSDs vs HDDs
Solid State Drives (SSDs) store data differently. We use specific ‘Freeze Lock’ removal and firmware commands to ensure no data hides in over-provisioned cells.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is formatting a hard drive the same as erasure?
No. Formatting simply removes the “address book” that points to your data. The data itself remains on the disk and can be recovered with free software. Secure erasure overwrites the actual data.
How much do professional data erasure services cost?
It depends on the volume. However, because we focus on the resale value of the refurbished hardware, we can often perform office clearances and data erasure for free, or even offer a rebate for high-value assets.
Can I just drill a hole in the hard drive?
While physically damaging a drive makes data recovery harder, it is not GDPR compliant without a certificate. Furthermore, modern SSDs are tiny chips; drilling a hole in the casing might miss the memory chip entirely.