In light of security risks posed by improper disposal of electronic media like computer hard drives, the state of Kansas’ State Surplus Property program offers an immensely useful service by physcially destroying computer hard drives at no charge. Since federal guidelines (PDF) and an upcoming state policy require disk drives with confidential data to be “disintegrated, shredded, pulverized, or incinerated” when they are not going to be re-used or they leave the institution, few have the resources to properly destroy the drives. Fortunately, State Surplus Property contracted a company to degauss, shred, and then smelt the drives and is absorbing the cost.
Unfortunately for K-State, the hard drives have to be taken to the state Surplus Center in Topeka at 2904 SW Kanza Drive between 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center only provides pick-up service for state agencies in Topeka. Two requirements:
- Before taking hard drives to the state Surplus Center, you must contact Bill Lorson (785-368-7474, Bill.Lorson@da.ks.gov) to let him know how many drives you’re bringing and when you’ll bring them.
- The drives must be wiped clean of any data with a tool like Darik’s Boot And Nuke before Bill will accept them.
Future IT Tuesday articles will explore local options for disk-drive disposal.
For more information about recycling in Kansas, see:
- Recycling electronic waste — www.ksewaste.org
- www.getcaughtrecycling.org
- Kansas Recycles — kansasrecycles.org
- Kansas Green Teams — www.kansasgreenteams.org
by Harvard Townsend, IT security
