Data Erasure: Integral Part of Data Lifecycle Management

Data is growing at an exponential rate as businesses are handling more data than ever. Rise of innovative technologies like AI, IoT, machine learning, advanced analytics and the need to offer personalized experiences to customers have forced businesses to amass huge amount of big data. According to an estimate, 2.5 quintillion bytes of data was produced every day in 2020. Also, the global data sphere is expected to reach 175 ZB in 2025 as per IDC Data Age 2025 report. This would mean greater need for data protection and security.

Emerging data protection legislation like the GDPR, CCPA, SOX, HIPAA, GLBA, etc. have made it obligatory upon businesses to be accountable for data that they process and control. This has given rise to the need to protect data across all its lifecycle stages. Thus, the need for an effective data lifecycle management has become imminent more than ever.

What is Data Lifecycle Management?

Data lifecycle management is described as management of data as it moves across different phases of its lifecycle from the time of its creation to its final disposal. Data lifecycle moves across different stages including its creation, storage, usage, retention and destruction. Each stage of data lifecycle management has its own set of protocols that defines its privacy, protection and compliance.

Stage1: Data Creation
The first stage of data lifecycle management is creation of data. It is created through multiple sources and means within an organization and accumulates over time. Data can also be captured from multiple devices involved in running various processes of the organization across departments like Customer Service, Sales, Accounts, Purchase, and Partners etc. It can also be sourced from third-party.

Stage 2: Data Storage
The next stage of data lifecycle management is 'Storage' that is critical for any organization from data privacy, security and compliance standpoint. Adequate measures must be taken to prevent any data leakage or loss while storing data either internally or on cloud. Data Remediation Process is a part of the 'Storage Stage' in Data Lifecycle Management and demands data segmentation, classification, migration and handling of information securely throughout its lifecycle

Stage 3: Data Usage
This is the most important stage in data lifecycle management as the data is analyzed and processed to support various business critical activities. Data at this stage help businesses make informed-decisions. Use of appropriate automated software to handle data usage is advisable when processing bulk customer, employee, investor and shareholder's data in order to have traceable records for meeting compliance.

Stage 4: Archival
Data archival ensures that data can be retained and retrieved when needed. The archived data is stored away from the active environment without any maintenance. Although, seemingly not important in the present context, an archive becomes critical when even a mundane data becomes necessary for mission critical tasks. Any lapse in the security of the data stored in the archives can be disastrous if it is hacked or misused leading to data theft and breach.

Stage 5: Destruction
With accumulation of data and growing need of advanced technology, storage needs to be upgraded. Post upgrade, old servers need to be dismantled and erased securely using the right data sanitization and destruction tool to get rid of very bit of information.  Moreover, businesses also destroy data that is either redundant or that has reached its end-of-life. Defining a data destruction policy is advisable for an organization to handle its IT Asset disposition effectively. 

Data Erasure: An Essential Component in Data Lifecycle Management

Secure data erasure forms an integral part of the Data lifecycle management process as it prevents and safeguards an organization from any instance of data breach.  Data Controllers and auditors in any organization demand effective tools for managing data erasure at all intervals with structured audit trails. Automation of wiping unwanted and redundant files periodically is essential for maintaining security compliance and also help save time, money and mitigate risk of leakage.

Automate Data Erasure Tasks Seamlessly Through BitRaser

When it comes to Data Destruction of unimportant files, folders and data in volumes, you may chose BitRaser File Eraser  that provides ample options to businesses for automating and scheduling erasure tasks periodically. The tool helps in ensuring compliance to global data protection regulations and safeguards invasion of privacy. Organizational policies can be created to erase a particular file or folder on a particular date and time without the need to manually erase the same. The software generates proof of erasure in terms of auditable reports for all your compliance needs.

Incase drives and devices are discarded at the end-of-life then BitRaser Drive Eraser is an optimal choice. The tool helps in erasing data on devices completely, ensuring no information trace is left behind. It also provides proof of destruction in form of certificate of erasure that helps organization comply with global laws and regulations.

Conclusion:

Data erasure is an integral part of data lifecycle management that helps in meeting data privacy, security and global regulatory compliance challenges, preventing data breach risks. With a professional and automated data erasure tool, you can be rest assured to automate your erasure tasks on all type of storage devices used across the organization. A robust data destruction policy followed by appropriate measures to destruct IT Asset at end of life would help in adherence to global data protection legislations.

FAQs