Re: secure disposal of backup tapes

[Jacob Bresciani <jacob () bresciani ca>]

On Nov 23, 2005, at 7:01 PM, Aditya Deshmukh wrote:

> > Hi I wanted to get some ideas from everyone for secure disposal of
> > DDS/TRAVAN/DLT backup tapes.
>
> Using a hammer on them then cutting the tapes up with sissors....
>
> What is the security level of data that was on them ?
> Maybe just a plain write with multiple patterns and
> putting them up on eBay might be enough
I've been told a cloths iron can be used to "flatten" the tape back  
out, and then spooled onto a new reel.

Some tape (the sticky kind) can be used to reconstruct cut tape,  
although this would be a long, tedious job as you can imagine, but it  
is doable.

A web site exists out there somewhere (can't find the link at the  
moment) that explains how to do the above things quite simply.

Selling used tapes on eBay would probably get most companies in  
trouble if the contents of the tapes are sensitive enough to warrant  
an e-mail to a list.
> > How do you burn yours?
> Please do *not* burn them they might be toxic
If they must be burned, there must be someone with a proper  
incinerator (rather then a bonfire) that could be used/rented so that  
it can be done in a relatively sage manner. Although I'm sure  
environmentalist would strongly disapprove of this plan.

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