Category: <span>Product Update</span>

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

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.

Product Update

Genesis Guardian – Health Check your Hard Drives

Guardian is an integral bench-marking tool built into the Genesis software to enable users to easily check the health of drives in ‘real-time’. The score is presented as a simple percentage of health. This also provides confidence when buying and selling drives, knowing the health of a drive in an easy to understand way. The score can be viewed on the Aurora GUI or reported via the Genesis Portal.

Streamlined solution

Guardian is configured as a standalone solution across all Genesis models, with no need for any ‘third-party software’. The Guardian health score is automatically displayed on the Aurora GUI on your Genesis display in both the drive cell and the status panel on the right of the screen during the repair process. Full report generation and DUT level analysis is available via the Genesis Online Portal.

The Guardian algorithm

Guardian uses a number of complex algorithms across a number of key attributes within the device to accurately calculate the health of a drive. By providing a ‘before & after’ score, customers are able to precisely measure the improvement & reliability of product produced by their Genesis.

Maximising the value of drives

Genesis’s sophisticated & industry leading repair techniques have the unique ability to regenerate & fix unhealthy drives. Guardian benchmarks the level of health, both prior and post repair. Enabling customers to maximise the financial return on the resale of product by selling more grade A drives.
Product Update

New Genesis Portal

As is the rapid development with the Genesis platform we are proud to bring the first major update with the Customer Portal.

The portal bring a host of new and exciting features that allows you to control your estate of Genesis systems from a single pane.

In addition to all the favourites, such as the schedule designer and the system monitoring, we now bring a wide selection of reports and statistics helping you get the best out of your investment.

New Genesis Portal Dashboard

Contact your Account Manager today to arrange an online demo or tutorial.