Hard Drive and Media Destruction
Old, used university computer hard drives may contain sensitive Classified data and need to be securely destroyed. It is not enough to discard this media by simply deleting or erasing it. The most effective way to ensure the complete removal of data on an old hard drive is to physically destroy it. The disk destruction service provides demolition of these materials by certified vendors and the safe removal of the debris. Safe removal is an important step as the particles resulting from smashed equipment can be hazardous or toxic.
We are currently accepting Hard Drives for Destruction.
Process
- Complete Request form (button located in the top right of this box)
- If Media, include types and quantities
- If Drives, include quantities
- If Media, include types and quantities
- Prepare hard drives/media by removing any casing, brackets, or other sealing containers
- A Service Desk agent will reach out to confirm available space and to schedule hard drive/media drop-off appointment
Accepted University Owned Media for Destruction
The following University-owned storage devices are accepted:
- Hard disk drives that have been removed from their mounting bracket
- Solid state drives (SSD)
- Flash (thumb) drives
- SD cards
The following types of University-owned non-paper media are accepted for destruction:
- CDs
- DVDs
- VHS tapes
- Cassettes
- Backup cartridges
- 5 1/4-inch floppy disks
- 3 1/2-inch diskettes
- Reel-to-reel tape
- Magnetic tapes
- System boards with embedded storage
- Centrally located on campus drop off location
- Local, third-party vendor handles secure physical destruction
- Vendor's "zero waste" policy means that 100% of destroyed media is recycled
- Toxic substances are handled safely according to EPA regulations and are re-used
Hard drive destruction is available at no cost to UT faculty and staff members for UT-owned equipment.
Hours:
Once a request has been approved through the form above, hard drives and/or media may be dropped off by appointment Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm.
Location:
In-Person Services, Flawn Academic Center (FAC) Lobby.