Description
The Data Sanitization and Disposal Procedure outlines the procedures to ensure that sensitive information is securely disposed of and sanitized before equipment or storage media are discarded or reused. This critical SOP ensures compliance with ISO 27001:2022 standards by ensuring that all sensitive data is effectively destroyed or rendered irrecoverable, mitigating risks associated with data breaches, theft, and unauthorized access.
This SOP covers all aspects of data sanitization, from identifying data that must be sanitized to implementing processes for physical destruction of media, deletion of digital records, and secure data erasure methods. It also includes guidelines for verifying that all data has been successfully erased from systems or storage devices, such as hard drives, USBs, and other physical media.
In conjunction with other relevant SOPs such as P-ISMS-009: Physical Security Policy and P-ISMS-013: Monitoring and Logging Policy, the Data Sanitization and Disposal Procedure ensures that data privacy and integrity are maintained throughout the lifecycle of the organization’s information assets. Adopting this procedure ensures that no sensitive or confidential information can be recovered once it is no longer needed or when hardware is disposed of, protecting both the organization and its customers.
This SOP applies to all departments and employees involved in the management, disposal, or reuse of information technology equipment and storage devices. It ensures that these operations are carried out in a controlled and compliant manner, aligning with the organization’s broader risk management framework. Data sanitization and disposal processes must be strictly followed to prevent accidental data leaks, loss of confidential information, and to comply with industry regulations on data privacy.
By following the Data Sanitization and Disposal Procedure, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized data recovery, safeguard sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands, and comply with international standards for information security and data protection. The procedure also includes regular reviews to ensure it aligns with current best practices and legal requirements for data disposal.
This SOP is essential for any organization that processes sensitive data, whether it’s personal, financial, or proprietary, and must ensure that such data is destroyed or sanitized in a way that guarantees it cannot be reconstructed or accessed by unauthorized individuals.
The following forms are associated to this SOP:
- FORM-ISMS-012-2 – Physical Media Disposal Form
- FORM-ISMS-012-3 – Data Disposal Authorization Form
- FORM-ISMS-012-4 – Disposal Verification Checklist
- FORM-ISMS-012-5 – Vendor Certificate of Destruction
The forms are included in this SOP at no additional cost.
