When clearing your office of old IT equipment, it is critical that the hardware is wiped of old data. At ER Logistics, we complete comprehensive data destruction for our clients to ensure that all data is irretrievable. This means that confidential or sensitive information remains private. Protecting personal data is a legal obligation so it is critical that it is thoroughly destroyed when disposing of old storage hardware. Our team at ER Logistics can offer data destruction as part of a comprehensive clearance service. We are happy to undertake this as part of a larger project to clear out your office, remove unwanted IT equipment, and recycle any appropriate components.
Arrange your consultation
If you need data professionally destroyed, get in touch with a member of our team. You can reach us by calling 0208 665 0660, emailing info@er-logistics.com, or completing our online contact form for a prompt response.
What data destruction methods
do we use?
We utilise two main methods of destroying data. These are both comprehensive destruction methods that have their own advantages. At ER Logistics, we only use the best equipment and reputable technicians to ensure all your data is destroyed and rendered irretrievable.
Shredding
Our high-tech equipment ensures that you’ll won’t have to worry about any data remaining on your old storage devices. Any storage media that is run through our shredder will be completely destroyed, and all data is irretrievable. Some sources online will suggest using a hammer or drill yourself, but this will not be enough to destroy the data fully. Shredding is the best way to destroy all data and give you peace of mind.
Degaussing
Degaussing is a process that removes magnetism from storage devices. This wipes all data from the hardware and renders it permanently unable to store or retrieve data. Degaussing is limited to magnetic storage media such as hard drives, backup tapes, and floppy disks, but does allow for the device to be recycled afterwards. It is a more sophisticated and environmentally sound method of data destruction.
Why should you destroy data professionally?
Protect your business’s data and remain compliant with GDPR rules surrounding data removal and deletion. While the loss of data from a hard drive is something that many dread, doing it deliberately can be a highly practical measure. Deleting files using your computer’s software, such as moving a document to the recycling bin, is not enough. If someone can retrieve the drive after it has been thrown away, they can retrieve files that you think might have been deleted. It is even possible to take data from a damaged hard drive. While there are myths that drilling in certain places, or scratching the disk will make the data irretrievable, these are unfortunately not true. The best way to be certain the data is gone for good is to have it destroyed by a professional. This ensures that your sensitive data cannot fall into the wrong hands after you’ve disposed of your old IT equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is secure data destruction and why do businesses need it?
Secure data destruction is the certified, permanent removal or physical destruction of data stored on electronic devices and storage media, so that it can never be recovered by unauthorised parties. For businesses, it is a legal requirement under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 — failing to destroy data properly when disposing of IT equipment can result in significant ICO fines and serious reputational damage. At ER Logistics, we provide certified secure data destruction services across the UK, ensuring that all confidential or sensitive information is rendered completely and irretrievably unreadable before any hardware is disposed of or recycled.
What data destruction methods does ER Logistics use?
ER Logistics uses two primary data destruction methods: shredding and degaussing. Shredding is a physical destruction process in which storage media — including hard drives, SSDs, tapes, and other devices — is fed through high-grade industrial equipment that reduces it to small fragments, making data completely irrecoverable. Degaussing removes magnetism from magnetic storage devices such as traditional hard disk drives and backup tapes by exposing them to a powerful magnetic field, rendering all data permanently unreadable and the device inoperable. Both methods are comprehensive and irreversible. Our technicians select the most appropriate method — or a combination of both — based on the media type and your specific security requirements.
What types of storage media and devices can you destroy?
ER Logistics can destroy a comprehensive range of data-bearing storage media and devices, including traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), magnetic backup tapes (LTO, DLT, DAT), USB flash drives, mobile phones and tablets, laptops and desktop computers, servers, optical media (CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs), and other electronic storage devices. It is important to note that SSDs and flash-based media are not affected by degaussing and must be physically shredded — our team will identify the correct destruction method for each device type to ensure full data security. If you have a specific media type not listed here, contact us to confirm we can handle it.
Is data destruction necessary for GDPR compliance in the UK?
Yes. Under UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation) and the Data Protection Act 2018, organisations have a legal obligation to ensure that personal data is not retained longer than necessary and that it is disposed of securely. This applies to all physical storage devices — including computers, hard drives, tapes, and mobile phones — that hold personal or sensitive information. Failure to destroy data properly when decommissioning or disposing of IT equipment can result in enforcement action from the ICO, with fines reaching tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds. Certified data destruction with documented proof is the recognised standard for demonstrating GDPR compliance when disposing of data-bearing devices.
Do you provide a certificate of data destruction?
Yes. ER Logistics provides a certificate of data destruction for every project we carry out. This certificate confirms the details of the destruction including the date, the devices or media destroyed, the method used, and the name of the technician who performed the work, giving you a documented audit trail for compliance and governance purposes. This documentation is essential for demonstrating GDPR compliance, satisfying internal security policies, and providing evidence to regulators, auditors, or insurers that personal and sensitive data was disposed of correctly and responsibly. Contact us for more information about our certification process.
Can you carry out data destruction on-site at our premises?
Yes, ER Logistics offers on-site data destruction services for organisations that require their sensitive data to be destroyed at their own premises under supervision. This is particularly important for businesses in regulated sectors such as healthcare, finance, legal, and government, where security protocols may prohibit data-bearing devices from leaving the building before destruction. Our team brings the necessary equipment to your location, carries out the destruction, and provides full certification on completion. On-site destruction gives you complete visibility and confidence that your data never leaves your control. Contact us on 0208 665 0660 to discuss your on-site data destruction requirements.
What is the difference between shredding and degaussing for data destruction?
Shredding and degaussing are both secure data destruction methods but work differently and suit different media types. Shredding physically destroys the storage device — feeding it through an industrial shredder that reduces it to small fragments — and is suitable for all media types including HDDs, SSDs, tapes, USB drives, and mobile devices. Degaussing uses a powerful electromagnetic field to erase all data from magnetic storage media such as traditional hard drives and backup tapes, rendering them permanently inoperable. However, degaussing does not work on SSDs or flash-based storage, which do not use magnetic fields. For maximum security, shredding is the most comprehensive method. Degaussing is faster for large volumes of magnetic media and is often combined with shredding as a belt-and-braces approach. ER Logistics will recommend the right method — or combination — for your specific devices.
What other types of businesses and sectors do you provide data destruction services for?
ER Logistics provides data destruction services for businesses, organisations, and institutions of all sizes and across all sectors. We regularly work with private companies carrying out office relocations and equipment decommissioning, as well as organisations in regulated sectors such as healthcare, education, finance, legal services, government bodies, and military and defence, where data security requirements are particularly stringent. Our certified destruction process, documented audit trail, and certification on completion meet the requirements of a wide range of compliance frameworks and sector-specific regulations. Whether you have a single device or a full data centre decommissioning project, contact us to discuss your specific requirements and we will tailor a solution to your needs.
Arrange your consultation
You can rely on our team to provide comprehensive data destruction services for your business. Speak to a member of our team and discuss your needs by calling 0208 665 0660 or emailing info@er-logistics.com.