🔐 Data Destruction – Frequently Asked Questions

How is my data destroyed?

All data is erased using dedicated hardware erasure systems that overwrite every addressable part of the drive using government-recognised sanitisation standards, including DoD 5220.22-M and NIST SP 800-88 Rev.1.

This process replaces all existing data with new patterns of data, making the original information permanently unrecoverable.

Is software wiping really secure?

Yes — when done correctly.

We do not use consumer-grade software or “quick erase” tools.
We use certified erasure hardware that performs verified, multi-pass overwrites and confirms that every sector has been successfully sanitised.

These same methods are used by:

Banks
Government departments
Cloud providers
Enterprise IT departments

Can data be recovered after a DoD or NIST wipe?

No.

Once a drive has been wiped using DoD 5220.22-M or NIST SP 800-88, the original data is permanently destroyed and cannot be recovered by any commercial or forensic data recovery service.

What proof do I get?

For every batch of equipment we provide a Certificate of Data Destruction, which includes:

Device serial numbers
Type of drive
Erase method used
Date and time of erasure
Pass/fail verification

This provides a full audit trail for GDPR, cyber-insurance and compliance purposes.

Is this GDPR compliant?

Yes.

UK GDPR requires that personal and sensitive data is disposed of securely and that organisations can demonstrate what was done with it.

Our erasure process and certification provide:

Secure data removal
Documented proof
Legal accountability

This satisfies GDPR, ICO and data protection obligations.

What happens to the equipment after wiping?

Once data has been securely removed, equipment can be:

Refurbished and reused
Responsibly recycled

This reduces environmental impact while maintaining full data security.

Who is this service for?

We provide secure data destruction for:

Small and medium businesses
IT providers
Accountants and solicitors
Schools and charities
Home users

If your device has stored personal, financial, or confidential information, it should be securely wiped before disposal.

Why choose Quarterdeck IT?

Because we combine:

Certified erasure standards
Full audit reporting
Environmental responsibility
Local, accountable service

You don’t just get your data destroyed — you get proof that it was done properly.