5.6 Safe disposal of data and computer equipment Flashcards
1
Q
What is the Environmental Protection Act 1990?
A
- Establishes the structure and authority for waste management in England, Scotland and Wales. - All businesses that produce, move, store, treat, dispose of, or recycle waste must comply with the EPA.
2
Q
What is the Environment Act 1995?
A
- All redundant computer equipment of (no economic value) is classed as waste. - Must ensure your collection agents hold a Waste Carrier Licence. - Must ensure that your waste equipment goes to a licensed disposal site. - Your legal duty of care extends to when your equipment goes is reused, recycled or disposed.
3
Q
What are the 3 methods of safe disposal?
A
- Overwrite Data- Electromagnetic Wipe- Physical Destruction
4
Q
What is the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Directive
A
- Gives guidance on how hazardous materials should be disposed of safely, including mercury (which is found in smartphones and newer monitors) and toner cartridges in printers. These materials can cause harm to the environment if not dealt with properly.
5
Q
Explain ‘Overwriting Data’
A
- When data is sent to the hard disc drive to overwrite the binary values currently on the drive, therefore resetting all the data. However overwriting just once is not enough so you must do it several times in order to COMPLETELY wipe it.- You can still use the hard drive after being wiped.
6
Q
Explain ‘Electromagnetic Wiping’
A
- Uses a machine called a degausser which has a very strong electro magnetic coil, which is capable of completely wiping the hard drive.- Larger companies use electromagnetic wiping to make sure none of their data is still on their computer when they give it to people who are unauthorised- Costly- Devices can be used again after.
7
Q
Explain ‘Physical Destruction’
A
Physically destroying the data holding device, however this renders the device unusable after but it does assure that the data is unfindable.
