Media sanitization, a process that irreversibly removes or destroys the data stored on a memory device, is a critical practice that aligns with various data privacy regulations. According to ISO 27040, an international standard providing detailed technical guidance on storage security and data sanitization, this practice plays a vital role in ensuring data privacy and security.
Firstly, incorporating storage into policies (OC-PLCY-G01) is important for data privacy. This includes addressing data destruction and storage media sanitization. This practice ensures sensitive and critical data, such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), is properly sanitized, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Secondly, ensuring storage conforms with policies (OC-PLCY-G02) is crucial. This includes ensuring all elements of the storage ecosystem comply with policy (e.g., ISO/IEC 27001:2022, 5.2 and ISO/IEC 27002:2022, 5.1).
Thirdly, the guidance OC-CPLC-G03 stresses that storage should meet data retention and sanitization obligations. Proper data sanitization should be implemented prior to the repurposing or decommissioning of hardware, and correct sanitization of virtual server images, and their copies, should be implemented at their end of life.
Lastly, it's also important to ensure storage meets privacy obligations (OC-CPLC-G04). The use of data and storage media sanitization mechanisms should not violate preservation requirements, and proper chain of custody procedures should be followed when evidentiary data (e.g., audit logs, metadata, mirror images, and point-in time copies) is handled (OC-CPLC-G05).
In summary, media sanitization is key to ensuring data privacy and aligns with the guidance provided by ISO 27040. Proper implementation of media sanitization techniques ensures that data privacy regulations are adhered to and that sensitive data is adequately protected (ISO/IEC 27040:2015, Clause 7).
Reference: ISO/IEC 27040:2015 Information technology — Security techniques — Storage security.