The Best Method to Wipe a Hard Drive

The only way to be sure that data is completely erased off of a hard drive is to degauss it. You can hit a HDD with a hammer, put a drill to the platter, or throw it off a tall building, but it still doesn’t guarantee that the data is wiped from the drive.

If you are reading this article, it’s because you have done your research and found out the truth about data destruction. Destroying data can be complicated and expensive, but this article will explain the most affordable ways to wipe a drive safely and securely.

The Least Expensive way to Degauss a Hard Drive

Let’s explore the most affordable way to degauss a hard drive. This method is cheaper than alternative methods but involves more manual processes. 

Use a Degaussing Wand

Degaussing wands are convenient in the sense that they are a portable, hand-held device that is able to wipe data off of hard disk platters. For the degausser wand to be effective, you must first remove the hard drive casing to reveal the hard drive platters.

Benefits:

• Portable
• Weighs less than a pound
• Requires no electrical output
• Reasonably priced

Here is the best and most affordable Degausser Wand on the market:

Proton 1100 Degaussing Wand

Sale Price: $515.00

Specifications

Framed Material	1020 Aluminum
Color	Black/Silver
Dimensions	7.5”L x 0.2”H x 1.5”W
Weight	4 oz.
Magnetic Flux Density (G)	12,000 Gauss
Magnetic Field Intensity (Oe)	5,000 Oe
Degaussing Capabilities	Disk drives, diskpacks, drum-type memories, and floppies
Meets NSA Approved Product List	Yes

Product Demonstration Video

Where do you buy a Degaussing Wand?

You can find a good deal on degaussing wands at these websites:

 

 

 

A Faster Way to Degauss Hard Drives

Let’s take a look at a more efficient way to wipe a hard drive. Using a degaussing machine is a safe, secure, and fast method for wiping hard drives and magnetic media.

Use a Drawer Degausser Machine

Degausser machines are much easier to use than degausser wands because they don’t require you to remove the hard drive casing. It is important to note that a degaussing machine is exponentially more expensive than a degaussing wand. Although a drawer degausser comes at a price, it also offers convenience and efficiency when it comes to wiping many hard drives at a time.

Benefits:

• Very easy to use
• Doesn’t take up much space on a table or desk
• Has a fast degaussing cycle
• Provides compliance under FACTA, HIPAA, GLB, DPA
• Meets data sanitization standards of NIST/US Department of Defense

 

Here is the best bang for your buck when it comes to Degausser Machines:

Datastroyer 105 Hard Drive Drawer Degausser

 

Sale Price: $5,826.00

 

Specifications

 

Magnetic Field Intensity	Up to 5,000 Oe
Magnetic Flux Density	15,000 Gauss (1.5 Tesla)
Erasure Cycle Time	Less than 5 seconds
Power/Amps	8 @ 120 Volts, 4 @ 240 Volts
Erasure Capabilities	Disk: L-5000 Oe (longitudinal) P-5000 Oe (perpendicular)  Tape:2800 Oe
Duty Cycle	Continuous
Dimensions	12”H x 12”W x 20”L
Weight	48 lbs.

 

Product Demonstration Video

How to Make a Degaussing Machine an Affordable Option

One way that you can start using a degaussing machine in your office without having $5,826.00 is by choosing to finance a machine. Whitaker Brothers is able to provide financing for the Datastroyer 105 Hard Drive Drawer Degausser for as low as $160.00 per month.

 

 

Click Here to View the Datastroyer 105 On Whitakerbrothers.com

 

Should You Rent a Degausser?

There are many great reasons why you should rent a degausser rather than make a purchase. Renting a degausser can be a cost-effective option for erasing data on hard drives. 

Benefits:

• On-site destruction is safer from a data security perspective
• Our machines meet government destruction standards (NSA approved)
• Best for short term requirements
• A good way to test a degausser before making a purchasing decision
• Good if you have limited space and storage

Rent a Datastroyer to Save Money

You have a couple of options when it comes to renting a Datastroyer. The size and volume of hard drives will determine which degausser will be best for your application.

Click here to check out our rental listings.

A Reasonable Degausser for General Applications

If you have a low number of hard drives to erase, then it might be a good idea to rent the Datastroyer 105 Drawer Degausser because it is more portable and more affordable. The 105 Drawer Degausser can be an affordable option whether you’re renting it for a week or a month. 

Go to the rental listing >>>

Wipe Big Hard Drives

The Datastroyer 105 Hard Drive Degausser offers more operator convenience and can handle hard drives that have up to 8 Terabytes capacity. If you want to make sure that larger hard drives are erased, then this machine is for you. The 105 requires less manual operation than the drawer degausser with an entrance slot at the top of the machine and an optional evacuation chute.  If you are interested in learning more about this machine, check out the product page on the Whitaker Brothers website. 

Go to the rental listing>>>

Conclusion

Whitaker Brothers offers many different ways to wipe a hard drive affordably on every spectrum of a budget.

The most affordable options are:

• The Proton 1100 Degaussing Wand
• The Datastroyer 105 Hard Drive Drawer Degausser
• Degausser Rental from Whitaker Brothers

With a small investment in the proper data destruction equipment, you could be saving your organization millions of dollars with data sanitization. It is important to carefully consider all of the factors when choosing the right piece of equipment to maximize your time and your dollar.

We hope that you found this article helpful and will consider going with Whitaker Brothers for your data destruction needs. 

We have specialized in data destruction since 1945 and our experts are able to help with small and large applications for data destruction.

Contact us here if you have any questions for our Experts.