“Byte”-sized IT Services

Data Destruction (Media Sanitization)

When data needs to go, it needs to be gone for good.

CTRL-A offers secure media sanitization and destruction services to help you permanently eliminate sensitive data from retired devices, drives, documents, and more. Whether you're disposing of hard drives, cleaning out a storage closet, or decommissioning office equipment, we make sure your data doesn’t leave a trace.

A diagnostic scan tool with a blue display screen showing the message: "NIST80088 PURGE N/A THIS DRIVE." It has a red casing, black navigation buttons labeled Up, Down, Back, and Enter, and LED indicators for Power, Out, and In, with the Out and In LEDs lit green. The brand is WIEBTECH, and the website cru-inc.com is printed on the device.

Why Secure Media Destruction Matters

Simply deleting files or reformatting drives is not enough. Digital information—whether stored on a hard drive, SSD, phone, or ID badge—can often be recovered using basic tools. Physical documents present a similar risk if they're thrown out or recycled without proper shredding.

Improper disposal can lead to:

  • Data breaches

  • Identity theft

  • Regulatory penalties under HIPAA, CCPA, GLBA, and others

  • Reputational damage and lost client trust

That’s why sanitization and destruction must be deliberate, verifiable, and aligned with industry best practices.

What We Sanitize and Destroy

CTRL-A handles a wide variety of physical and digital media, using NIST-compliant processes and commercial-grade equipment.

MEDIA TYPE

• Hard Drives (HDDs)

• Solid State Drives (SSDs)

• USB Drives / SD Cards

• Paper Documents

• Laptops & Workstations

• Mobile Devices & Tablets

• NFC Tags / Smart Cards / Badges

• Credit Cards

DESTRUCTION METHOD

• NIST SP 800-88 compliant multi-pass wiping or physical destruction

• Logical wiping (TRIM-aware, where supported), followed by physical shredding by certified e-waste specialists

• Overwriting or crushing

• DIN P-5 micro-cut shredding

• Drives wiped or removed for destruction; hardware disposed of responsibly

• Data wipe via MDM and/or full physical destruction

• Disabled using specialized tools, then physically destroyed

• Magnetic strip disablement + physical shredding

We partner with certified e-waste recyclers to handle physical destruction of media that contains residual data risk after wiping—ensuring everything is processed securely and sustainably.

Tools and
Standards We Follow

CTRL-A follows NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 guidelines for all media sanitization.

Our process includes:

  • Hardware-based drive overwriting (for HDDs and supported SSDs)

  • Drive verification logging for audit or compliance needs

  • DIN P-5 micro-cut shredding for paper and ID media

  • Specialized equipment to neutralize smart tags or wireless credential devices

  • Chain-of-custody tracking for drives and devices handed off for destruction

Additionally, our destruction methods align with sanitization standards recognized by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA/CSS EPL) and Germany’s DIN 66399.

Did you know?

Some providers still rely on the outdated DoD 5220.22-M (NISPOM)* “3-pass” erase procedure.

At CTRL-A, we follow NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2—today’s recognized standard for secure data sanitization across government and compliance frameworks.

*DoD 5220.22-M, “National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual” (NISPOM); Erase-Check-Erase (ECE) method.

Outdated vs. Modern Erase Methods

Comparison table of data sanitization standards between DoD 5220.22-M (Legacy) and NIST 800-88 Rev.1 (Current) showing status, method, recognition, security level, compliance value, and meaning.

Need data destroyed?

Protect your company’s and client’s data while maintaining your legal obligations.

Contact Us to Schedule a Secure Disposal