Author: <span>Ultratest</span>

Technology

The Battle of the Hard Drives: Refurbished vs. New!

In today’s digital age, the need for reliable data storage solutions has never been greater. Whether for personal use, enterprise-level operations, or anything in between, the choice of hard drives is critical. Traditionally, new hard drives have been the go-to for ensuring top-notch performance and reliability. However, the rise of refurbished hard drives has challenged this norm, offering compelling benefits that are both budget-friendly and eco-friendly. 

At the forefront of this revolution is the Ultratest Genesis, a leading solution for the refurbishment and regeneration of hard drives. Let’s delve into the advantages and drawbacks of refurbished drives compared to new ones and why opting for refurbished might be the smarter choice.

Why Choose Refurbished Hard Drives?

Budget-Friendly

One of the most significant advantages of refurbished hard drives is cost efficiency. New hard drives can be expensive, especially when considering high-capacity models or enterprise-grade units. Refurbished drives, on the other hand, are typically priced much lower. This makes them an attractive option for individuals and businesses looking to maximise their budget without sacrificing quality.

Eco-Friendly

Environmental sustainability is a growing concern, and the tech industry is no exception. Manufacturing new hard drives involves mining raw materials, consuming energy, and generating electronic waste. By choosing refurbished hard drives, you’re actively reducing your carbon footprint. Refurbishment extends the lifecycle of existing hardware, meaning fewer drives end up in landfills and less demand for new resources.

Certified Data Erasure

A major concern with refurbished hard drives is data security. The Ultratest Genesis addresses this with full-certified data erasure, ensuring that all previous data is completely and securely wiped. This guarantees that refurbished drives are not only free from previous data but are also compliant with stringent data protection regulations.

Grade A Condition

Refurbished does not mean subpar. Drives processed through Genesis undergo thorough testing and repair, ensuring they meet Grade A condition standards. This means they perform at levels comparable to new drives, offering reliability and efficiency for all your storage needs.

Pros and Cons of Refurbished Hard Drives

The Pros:

  1. Cost Savings: Significantly cheaper than new drives, allowing for better allocation of resources.
  2. Environmental Impact: Reduces electronic waste and resource consumption, contributing to a greener planet.
  3. Certified Data Security: Full data erasure ensures previous data is irretrievable, maintaining security standards.
  4. High Performance: Refurbished to Grade A condition, guaranteeing reliable performance.
  5. Availability: It is easier to find older models that might not be available new, useful for legacy systems.

The Cons:

  1. Perceived Reliability: Some may view refurbished drives as less reliable, though this is mitigated by rigorous testing and repair.
  2. Warranty Limitations: Refurbished drives often come with shorter warranties compared to new drives.
  3. Availability: Stock can be limited and inconsistent, depending on the supply of drives for refurbishment.
  4. Technological Advancements: Newer drives may offer the latest technology and higher capacities that refurbished ones might not match.

Conclusion

In the battle of refurbished versus new hard drives, it’s clear that refurbished drives offer substantial advantages in terms of cost savings and environmental impact. With solutions like the Ultratest Genesis, which ensures certified data erasure and Grade A condition refurbishment, the perceived risks of opting for refurbished drives are significantly minimised. For budget-conscious and eco-friendly consumers, refurbished hard drives present a compelling alternative that does not compromise performance or reliability. Embrace the future of sustainable technology with confidence, knowing that refurbished drives from Genesis are a smart, secure, and sustainable choice.

ITAD Network Data Erasure Sanitisation Product Update

Securing the Network: The Imperative of Data Erasure in…

In the complex landscape of IT asset disposal (ITAD), securing data on retired network equipment such as routers, switches, firewalls, and access points is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of cybersecurity. Ultratest, a pioneering designer and manufacturer of integrated hardware/software solutions for data erasure, testing, and repair, shines a light on this pivotal issue. Their insights not only highlight the risks associated with inadequate data sanitisation practices but also introduce a groundbreaking solution that addresses these challenges head-on. Securing the Network: The Imperative of Data Erasure in IT Asset Disposal.

The Hidden Risks of Inadequate Data Sanitisation

As organisations upgrade their network infrastructure, the proper sanitisation of retired assets is frequently underestimated. This oversight can lead to severe data breaches, putting sensitive information at risk of unauthorised access. The reality is that simply deleting files or formatting devices does not erase data beyond recovery. Sophisticated techniques can still retrieve this information, posing a significant threat to data security.

Moreover, the challenge of data erasure is compounded by the necessity to preserve the inherent value of the network equipment. Often, the process of erasing data can inadvertently remove licences and operating systems, rendering the devices virtually useless. This not only diminishes the resale value of the assets but also contravenes the principles of sustainable ITAD practices by promoting unnecessary waste.

Legislative Compliance and Asset Value Retention

Adherence to stringent data destruction standards, such as NIST 800-88, is not just a matter of best practice but a legal imperative. These guidelines ensure that data is irrecoverably erased, safeguarding against potential breaches. However, achieving compliance while retaining the residual value of IT assets poses a unique challenge. The erasure process must be meticulous enough to protect sensitive information while preserving the device’s licences and operating systems – essential components that significantly contribute to the asset’s market value. Learn more about NIST here.

Furthermore, with the increasing focus on corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability, the Asset Disposal and Information Security Alliance (ADISA) certification has become a hallmark of excellence in the ITAD sector. This certification guarantees that the erasure processes not only meet but exceed the highest standards of data security and environmental stewardship.

Ultratest’s Nemesis: The Ultimate Solution

Enter Ultratest’s Nemesis, a comprehensive solution designed to address the multifaceted challenges of network equipment data erasure. Nemesis stands out as a versatile tool that ensures the secure, compliant, and efficient erasure of data from routers, switches, firewalls, and access points. What sets Nemesis apart is its ability to meticulously erase sensitive data while preserving the device’s licences and operating systems, thus maintaining the asset’s value.

Nemesis is engineered to be deployed directly within ITAD facilities, regardless of their location. This flexibility ensures that the erasure process can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows, providing ITAD professionals with a reliable tool that not only complies with NIST 800-88 guidelines but also boasts ADISA certification. With Nemesis, organisations can rest assured that their retired network equipment is sanitised to the highest standards, mitigating the risk of data breaches and contributing to a more sustainable IT ecosystem.

Additionally, Ultratest’s Nemesis stands out for its plug-and-play capability, embodying a de-skilled approach to data erasure. This feature allows ITAD facilities to efficiently process equipment without extensive technical knowledge, simplifying operations and minimising the potential for human error. The intuitive design of Nemesis ensures a foolproof and efficient data sanitisation process, making it an essential, user-friendly tool in IT asset disposition.

Conclusion

The secure disposal of IT assets, especially network equipment, is a critical component of modern cybersecurity strategies. Ultratest’s Nemesis product addresses the pressing need for a solution that ensures data is erased securely and compliantly without compromising the residual value of the asset. By adopting Nemesis, ITAD facilities can offer their clients peace of mind, knowing that their retired assets are handled with the utmost care, security, and efficiency. Ultratest not only sets a new standard in data erasure solutions but also champions the cause of sustainable ITAD practices, ensuring that security and value retention go hand in hand. Learn more about Nemesis here.

Securing the Network: The Imperative of Data Erasure in IT Asset Disposal

Refurbishment of TCG-Encrypted Hard Drives Technology

Genesis: Refurbishment of TCG-Encrypted Hard Drives

In a world where data security is paramount, encryption technologies like those developed by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) are crucial for protecting sensitive information stored on Enterprise-level Hard Drives. These technologies encrypt data on the device, safeguarding it from unauthorised access. Despite their benefits, TCG’s approach, favoured by many leading storage vendors, poses significant challenges, especially when it comes to hard drive reuse and data sanitisation. We look at the challenges in the Refurbishment of TCG-Encrypted Hard Drives.

The Dilemma of Encrypted Drives

Typically, standard SEDs manage encryption internally at the firmware level. TCG-encrypted drives, however, are controlled by the host system, such as a storage array. This means that once a TCG-encrypted drive is removed from its host environment, it becomes unusable.  Consequently, these drives cannot be sanitised or repurposed using conventional techniques. Especially if removed from their original environment, which leads to the unnecessary physical destruction of millions of functional drives—an environmentally and financially detrimental scenario.

Adding to the complexity, the interpretation and deviation of the lengthy and involved TCG standard have varied among vendors, with some using the technology to tie devices exclusively to their ecosystems. This practice prevents using drives as generic or refurbished devices, further complicating the drive lifecycle management.

Genesis: Pioneering Hard Drive Refurbishment

Ultratest’s Genesis emerges as a cutting-edge solution to these challenges. It introduces a seamless and automated process for managing TCG encryption, unlocking drives, and restoring their full functionality. This innovation allows drives to be securely erased, tested, and repaired while safeguarding user data. Genesis ensures drives are correctly unlocked for general use after processing. This distinguishes it from other market offerings that might leave drives locked and inoperable.

Ultratest Genesis HDD & SSD Repair & Data Erasure

Advantages of Genesis

Genesis brings remarkable benefits to the table, enhancing both data security and environmental sustainability. It enables drives to be securely wiped and refurbished to a like-new condition, thereby extending their lifespan and reducing electronic waste. Moreover, Genesis promotes a circular economy by allowing the secure, sustainable reuse of data storage assets. This is a win-win for businesses, consumers, and the environment alike.

Conclusion

As concerns over data security and environmental impact intensify, solutions like Genesis from Ultratest represent a significant step forward. By aligning with TCG encryption methods and revolutionising Refurbishment of TCG-Encrypted Hard Drives, Genesis protects data and promotes the reuse and longevity of hard drives. This innovative approach contributes to a more secure digital landscape and supports sustainability in the technology sector.To learn more, talk to the Ultratest team. Contact us here or call on +44 1438 211200.

Ultratest Genesis HDD & SSD Repair & Data Erasure Technology

Advanced Hard Drive Repair from Ultratest Genesis

Ultratest Genesis: Advanced Hard Drive Repair, Testing, and Data Erasure for Device Longevity

Overview

Genesis has the ability to restore the drive to its optimal operational state. This is achieved by implementing advanced technological tools for diagnostics and repairs.

Our team comprises highly skilled professionals. They have a superior understanding of the functional operation and software of a wide range of data storage devices. We have gained this knowledge from years of research and development-based engineering. Therefore, we are confident that our system will meet and exceed your expectations while delivering accurate results.

The repair process

The Genesis repair process begins with identifying the drive manufacturer and its generation (“family”). Post-identification, the system considers specific circumstances, such as known issues and nuances unique to each device, enabling the system to tune the processes during subsequent tests. This ensures the most accurate, efficient and effective repair process possible.

Genesis Hard Drive test ports for SAS and SATA HDD/SSD

During the initial testing phases, the software scans for critical issues, such as helium gas leaks in modern helium-filled drives. This early detection allows stopping the testing as soon as possible, which reduces the overall time required for testing. Consequently, it improves the efficiency of the testing process.

The Genesis platform utilises “dynamic schedules” to control the test and repair process. This feature enables flexible adjustments to the test process on the fly for any specific drive, including different methods for either Hard Drives (HDD) or Solid State Drives (SSD), among many other unique factors. The backend code has intelligent logic, which makes this approach highly efficient.

Reliable results every time

Our testing systems are designed to produce efficient and accurate results in the shortest possible time. We don’t simply clear defect tables to declare a drive usable. Instead, we use a highly developed advanced technique and engineering process specific to each manufacturer to perform actual repairs. These methods are far more sophisticated than simply resetting the drive. This allows us to provide more effective and long-lasting results.

To avoid any confusion regarding the criteria for a “good drive”, we created the Guardian Score, a grading system, to evaluate the quality of drives based on three categories: Grade A, Grade B and Grade C. These grades correspond to “fully functional”, “functioning with minor issues”, and “functioning with major issues”, respectively. Moreover, we have provided an option for our customers to customise the grading according to their specific needs based on either a drive-health percentage or the number of defects within the G-List.

“Only drives where the media is defect-free are considered Grade A“.

States project lead: Mikhail Mavritsin

Data-Driven Results

An assortment of diverse testing conditions and criteria subject the drive’s repair procedure to rigorous evaluation to ensure the stability of the results. Passing all the tests and undergoing repair increases the likelihood of the drive’s longevity. To achieve accurate results, strict requirements for average performance in all operations, known as “timings,” are closely monitored. We constantly evaluate that the test criteria for the repair procedure align as closely as possible with the actual situation in a particular device. The test software can fine-tune the baseline criteria for each type of device, including features of SMR drives and SSDs, allowing optimal performance.

Ensuring the reliability of test results depends on countless factors derived from the vast amount of accumulated data and statistics. Statistics are based on results from over 4 million HDD & SSD devices. Including varying capacities, models, generations and many other unique attributes. Our data has shown that products processed by Genesis have an extremely stable and high yield with a minimum number of returns/warranty claims for our customers, typically well under 1%.  

Our commitment

At Ultratest, we take pride in our unique approach to test system development. We firmly believe that our personal and tailored approach with customers sets us apart.  We have the technical capability and willingness to conduct device failure analysis to investigate the most unusual behaviour for frequent or rare issues. This helps us promptly enhance test algorithms’ quality, assessment criteria, and the list of supported products.

Further product information can be found here, or contact the team to discuss in more depth.

Technology

Do I have to Erase a Network Switch?

Do I have to Erase a Network Switch? It’s a good question, why erase a Network Switch, a router, a firewall or even an access point? They’re not data-bearing devices like a Hard Drive or Mobile Phone. Surely a factory reset or a format or deleting the config will do the trick?

A Hackers potential delight!

Unfortunately, not. Networking devices are data-bearing devices, not in the true sense of the word, in terms of user GDPR-type personal data, but they contain extremely precious and sensitive information. The config data can include passwords, IP Addresses, and Domain Names. If you can determine the device’s original location, it’s like leaving your keys hanging outside your front door. It could be a hacker’s delight.

Hang on; surely an IT Manager would change the passwords and config data when removing an asset from their network. You’ll be surprised to hear it’s not always the case. I recall a conversation from a few months back of a scenario where an IT Operator was tasked with upgrading the Firewall on their Network. To save time and effort, the simplest method to swap the device was to back up the data on the old firewall and restore the config to the new device. Hey, presto! Job done! However, the old appliance, now on its way to their trusty ITAD, had the same security credentials & passwords as the live device in the Network. Whoops!

OK, so how do you Erase a device?

So, how do you erase a Networking Device? Sadly, it’s not as simple as it should or could be. The Networking device manufacturers should have focused more on effective & safe data erasure than they have. There is now a ‘Write Erase’ command on some of the newer products, which does as it says on the tin. For everything else… it depends. The first issue is to find where the data is stored. Devices have multiple internal data storage media, including; NVRAM, Flash, and SSD, to name a few.

The challenge continues; identify all the storage within the product, and you must safely remove the data. We are all familiar that to erase data from a Hard Drive or SSD, deleting or formatting doesn’t remove data. It just informs the device that you can use that part of the media for storing new data; eventually, the old data will be over-written. The same theory can be applied to the storage media on a Networking device. As with an HDD or SSD, the only effective method to safely remove data is performing a complete overwrite of the media. Typically, this is done by writing a random data pattern to fill up the media, therefore overwriting any data that was previously there.

Is there a Solution available?

The market has reacted slowly, and even some of the largest Data Erasure Software providers have struggled to provide a reliable solution. The issue is that to perform this overwrite, you need to take control of the device. A compelling blend of hardware & software is the only reliable approach.

Ultratest offers a powerful solution named Nemesis, the only ADISA-certified Network Erasure Solution available. We invite you to learn how Nemesis can benefit you; read on…

Corporate

Genesis recertified ADISA Product Assurance

Genesis recertified ADISA Product Assurance, including NIST 800-88

We are excited to announce that Genesis, the leading solution for repairing, testing, and wiping Hard Drives & SSDs, has successfully recertified through the ADISA Product Assurance Scheme.

Genesis was the first product certified under the Product Assurance scheme in 2019.  The scheme has been enhanced to now include NIST 800-88 compliance verification.

Genesis, the most advanced solution

Over many years, Genesis has earned a reputation as the leading solution for processing used Hard Drives & SSD. Unlike other products that merely test and erase devices before resale, Genesis utilises advanced techniques and processes, typically reserved for the drive manufacturers, to restore health and ensure the highest quality. Furthermore, Genesis boasts a remarkable yield rate thanks to its superior ability to unlock drives that other solutions cannot.

Over many years, Genesis has earned a reputation as the leading solution for processing used Hard Drives & SSD. Unlike other products that merely test and erase devices before resale, Genesis utilises advanced techniques and processes, typically reserved for the drive manufacturers, to restore health and ensure the highest quality. Furthermore, Genesis boasts a remarkable yield rate thanks to its superior ability to unlock drives that other solutions cannot.

Who is ADISA Certification, and what is Product Assurance

ADISA Certification is the go-to organisation for product and service certification. Their ADISA Research Centre (ARC) is an independent certification body that conducts product certification. The certification schemes’ purpose is to evaluate sanitisation software’s effectiveness using the Product Assurance (PA) scheme provided by ARC. This scheme scrutinises whether data sanitisation products can comply with sanitisation standards and guidelines, specifically NIST Special Publication 800-88 Revision 1 and/or IEEE Std 2882-2022, by assessing if the product can issue standard-compliant commands to storage media.

What is NIST 800-88?

NIST 800-88, also known as NIST Special Publication 800-88 (NIST SP 800-88), has become the industry standard for data erasure and provides comprehensive guidance on safely & effectively erasing data from storage media. The standard was initially created for the US government use but has since been adopted by companies and governments worldwide to ensure secure media sanitisation. 

The NIST guidelines cover all types of storage media, including magnetic, flash-based, and other technologies, and outline three sanitisation techniques: Clear, Purge, and Destroy. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all data stored on the media is permanently erased and cannot be retrieved.

ADISA ARC Test Conclusions

The Product Assurance tests include 14 separate examinations of compliance with the NIST SP 800-88r1 guidelines. To be considered compliant, the laboratory must verify the commands sent to the device in either Table A-5 or Table A-8 of NIST SP 800-88r1.

During the tests that required verification of NIST SP 800-88r1 CLEAR, the ARC determined that all tested devices were compliant because the software’s commands matched the specifications in NIST SP 800-88r1.

Similarly, during the tests that required NIST SP 800-88r1 PURGE verification, the ARC found that all tested devices were compliant because the software’s commands matched the specifications in NIST SP 800-88r1.

Steve Mellings, Founder & CEO of ADISA Group, commented…

“Compliance to NIST 800-88 guidelines means much more than having a dropdown on the software; the sanitisation engine must issue specific commands to drives based on their type and interface. The software must also react to the drive if the command is not supported again, issuing a different command to achieve the desired outcome. Our testing of Genesis was done over several weeks. It involved many combinations to ensure we are confident that it complies with the sanitisation requirements as listed in NIST 800-88”.

Thomas Gardner, Product Sales Specialist at Ultratest Solutions, continued…

“Certifications genuinely reflect the hard work, dedication, research, and investment it takes to create a market-leading product. Our solution has been endorsed by ADISA, the reputable certification organisation recognised worldwide. This endorsement assures our customers that our product meets all industry standards, such as NIST, giving them the utmost confidence in our solution”.

For further information, please get in touch with us here, or contact ADISA Certification at https://adisarc.com.

Product Update

Expand your Hard Drive production with GenesisXP

Increase throughput, reduce cost and grow revenue.

Margins in the Hard Drive processing sector have been under pressure for some time. As a result, we have designed GenesisXP to reduce operating costs, increase revenue, and ensure compliance.

How does it work?

Genesis provides industry-leading technology and repair capabilities, not seen in any other solution. Uniquely, the functionality delivers unparalleled results with the highest possible yield. GenesisXP enables the expansion of your Genesis infrastructure by attaching additional Disk Enclosures (JBODs) for Test, Erasure & Grading.

What is equally important, failed drives from GenesisXP or passes at Grade B or C, maybe repairable. Genesis can recover and refurbish many of these devices. In essence; Increased throughput, reduced cost and revenue growth.

GenesisXP Server

All Genesis Systems (8, 16, 32, 64 & 96-Port) are compatible with GenesisXP.  The XP solution is connected through a dedicated Server with four SAS/SATA (SAS 3G/6G/12G) outputs attaching to your chosen Disk Enclosures.  The Server can be installed neatly in the Genesis cabinet, likewise externally in a Disk Enclosure cabinet of your choice.  GenesisXP is compatible with all the major enclosure brands, except IBM StorWize.

GenesisXP Screenshot
GenesisXP JBOD Selection Screen

Integrated Solution & GUI

GenesisXP seamlessly integrates into the Aurora GUI/TouchScreen.  Simply toggle through the enclosures to view individual drives on test.  The Ultratest Online Web Portal is used to manage all test/erasure processes.

View individual drives & test logs

Licencing options

GenesisXP licensing is available for all Genesis configurations, providing additional concurrent active ports, of; 32, 64, 96 or 120+. Testing of over 120 drives is possible with potential performance deficits. Installation of additional servers will provide maximum test speeds. We would advise running additional GenesisXP servers to retain the highest possible speed.

Contact us for further information and pricing.

Technology

ITAD’S, ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE PROCESSING YOUR NETWORK PRODUCTS…

Written By Adam Burrett (Network Engineer, Nemesis Designer)

Introduction

When networking hardware is in use, network engineers are conscious to make sure they can always get back to a working configuration without having to redo the whole thing.  Especially if it is remote.

So they tend to make a backup of the running / start-up config onto flash (I know, I used to).  They may also carry out packet traces on the device, and store these in the flash and not delete it once finished.  If this is a device that carries voice traffic that could include voice calls.  With the right knowledge, you can download that file and listen to the call.

When that device becomes end of life the following need to happen:

  1. The startup configuration is erased
  2. Any backup configs are erased
  3. Any traces are erased
  4. Any file, that is not an operating system, is erased

You will notice that I have bolded the word erased.  This is because erased data is not the same thing as deleted data.

If you delete a file from flash, you have not deleted it.  You have removed the pointers to that file, and marked it to be overwritten when more storage is needed. 

Flash tends to only allow you the option to format to totally clear it.  This again, does not delete any of the data.

This data can be recovered using the right tools, in some instances just a compact flash card reader and a Hex editor.

The challenges

Maintaining Value

The main problem when processing networking equipment is that there are so many different types, each with their own unique processing method and varying levels of erasure commands.

The second major problem is maintaining the value of the asset.  One wrong command and you can turn a £2000 switch into a £200 switch, or a piece of scrap.

A large number of ITAD companies currently sell their networking devices in bulk to upstream vendors for a much reduced value, potentially losing thousands of pounds on each batch they sell.

Complete Data Erasure

To date ITAD company’s process networking equipment follows the NIST Clear standard.  This is the only standard that has been available to them.  Using the NIST clear, and manual deletion options has a high risk of missing user data and sending devices out with confidential customer data (i.e. passwords, customer names etc.).

There is a NIST Purge standard for network equipment, but this is vendor and product specific and does not lend itself to the objective of maximising the retained value of the asset as it will clear all software and licenses at the same time.  If the ITAD is not careful, this may not be recoverable to an operational system and will result in loss of revenue for them.  In time, this will then increase the costs of those services to you the disposal customer.

Processing Time

To process a device to NIST Purge can take time to ensure that all user data is cleared, depending on the device.  This also requires a reasonable knowledge of networking hardware to either know the commands, or know how to get the commands. 

Staff resource

The majority of companies that process their own networking equipment rely on a single member of staff, so when that person is absent no networking equipment is processed.

The Solution

The new Nemesis Network Erasure product from Ultratest Solutions marks a revolutionary step forward in the processing of networking equipment collected by ITAD companies.

By utilising the Nemesis you gain the following:

  1. Simple to use, reliable and repeatable erasure process

Your Teams do not need to understand every device they are erasing.  The solution detects the type of device, and processes it accordingly.  It is just point and click.

  • Allows erasure of products even if the OS has been deleted by the customer before the ITAD collected the devices.
  • Utilises the VIP (Vendor Independent Purge) standard developed by Ultratest engineers to ensure that all data is fully erased.
  • Confidence in providing erasure certificates that can be complimented by a full erasure report that can be provided to the customer.
  • Maximise the value of any asset by bringing the device fully into an operation condition at the end of the erasure process.

To find out more, as to how Nemesis can benefit your operation, please get in contact and we will be happy to arrange a time for a consultative call to discuss your individual needs and challenges.