Zero Data Leaving the Site

A US-based data center services provider was entrusted with a high-stakes decommission program across multiple facilities, where speed mattered but certainty mattered more. The mandate was clear: eliminate data risk completely through verified physical destruction of all data-bearing media, while securely returning selected equipment for controlled reuse and internal verification, following recognized media sanitization principles such as NIST SP 800-88 (including “Destroy” via physical destruction).​

The client’s requirements

  • Zero intact data-bearing media leaving the site.​

  • End-to-end chain-of-custody with asset-level traceability.​

  • Defensible evidence suitable for audit and governance stakeholders.​

  • Controlled segregation: standard disposition for non-data-bearing equipment; secure destruction flow for data-bearing assets.​

How it was delivered

A single decommission runbook was agreed upfront defining roles, work zones, approval gates, and custody handoffs then executed with experienced floor leadership present throughout to keep decisions immediate and controlled. Asset movements were tracked via scan-based logging, creating a reconciled inventory that supported the traceability expectations emphasized in modern disposition and recycling programs.​

Verified destruction and secure return

All data-bearing drives were destroyed on-site via shredding so that no intact media was transported, aligning with NIST SP 800-88’s “Destroy” approach using physical destruction methods. For evidentiary assurance, destruction was documented through scan reconciliation and filmed proof, reflecting common secure-destruction expectations around documented procedures and accountability. In parallel, assets approved for return were verified against the client list, professionally packed, and staged with manifest control to ensure accurate, redeployable delivery.​

Why it matters

This approach reduces risk at the highest-impact point before media ever leaves the facility while delivering an audit-ready record of what was removed, what was destroyed, and what was returned. Recognized guidance like NIST SP 800-88 exists specifically to help organizations make media sanitization decisions that stand up to security and compliance scrutiny, and this engagement was structured to meet that standard of confidence.​