In information security, when putting a device into new use or when disposing of it, procedures for the correct processing of the data contained on the device must be followed. According to the university's guidelines, information can be public, internal, confidential or secret. The principle in reuse and disposal is that the information contained on the device is not available when the device is reused or on a decommissioned device. If the device contains confidential or secret information, special care must be taken when deleting the information.

Handling the devices

The information contained in the device must be deleted before using the device for a new purpose. The method of deletion depends on the confidentiality of the information. Data deletion is described in this document as "clear" and "overwrite (purge)". Clearing the data here means filling the storage space with random data using the device's own commands and returning the device's settings to the default state. Overwriting is filling the device's entire storage space with random data.

Overwriting must be done in accordance with the storage technology, using appropriate software. In SSD disks and other devices using flash technology, the entire storage space with reserve areas must be overwritten. Software suitable for overwriting are Blancco Drive Eraser and similar.

Mobile phones

The mobile phones used at the university are encrypted by their distributor. This means transferring the phone to another user is possible. The user must restore the phone's default settings and remove the device from the user's account before reusing or recycling the phone. This ensures that the phone's data cannot be accessed. The phone's SIM card must be returned to the phone contact person.

Flash memories (USB flash drives, SSD drives)

USB flash drives can be overwritten with the tools in the Windows or Mac operating systems.

In Windows, overwriting is done as follows:

1. Click the right mouse button on the USB flash drive in the File explorer, and select "Format".
2. Disable the "Quick Format" option, and click "Start" to begin formatting the flash drive. This will take some time.
3. When the formatting is complete, dispose of the flash drive in the information security container.

On a Mac, do the following:

1. Go to the "Applications" folder, then the "Utility" folder. Start "Disk utility".
2. Select the USB flash drive, and click "Erase" on the toolbar.
3. Next, a window opens with the name, format, scheme, and "Security Options". Click "Security options", and scroll to Security Option 4 (Most Secure). Click OK.
4. Click "Erase" to start formatting the drive. This will take some time.

Return SSD drives to Digital Services for disposal.

Workstations

Return computers to Digital Services.

CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs

Return CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs to Digital Services for disposal.

Hard drives (non-flash)

Return server hard drives and external hard drives to Digital Services for disposal.