Everything you need to understand data destruction best practices, compliance requirements, and how to get the most out of IQValidate.
Plain-English explanations of the standards that matter most.
NIST 800-88 is the foundation of secure data sanitization in the US. This guide breaks down Clear, Purge, and Destroy methods—and when to use each one.
R2 (Responsible Recycling) certification is essential for electronics recyclers. Here's what auditors look for and how to prepare.
NAID AAA is the gold standard for data destruction service providers. Learn what it takes to achieve and maintain certification.
Healthcare organizations must properly destroy PHI when disposing of devices. This guide covers HIPAA requirements for data destruction.
Practical advice from years of experience in the ITAD industry.
Not all drives are the same, and not all data requires the same level of protection. This guide helps you match sanitization methods to your specific needs—balancing thoroughness, speed, and compliance requirements.
We cover when a simple zero-fill is sufficient, when you need multi-pass overwriting, and when physical destruction is the only option. Plus, special considerations for SSDs and self-encrypting drives.
Read Article →Chain of custody isn't just paperwork—it's proof that your security processes work. A solid chain of custody protects you during audits and provides evidence if questions arise about how assets were handled.
Learn how to document asset receipt, track movement through your facility, record sanitization events, and maintain records that satisfy even the strictest auditors.
Read Article →Your wipe station setup directly impacts throughput. The right hardware, software configuration, and physical layout can dramatically increase the number of drives you process each day.
We share lessons learned from high-volume ITAD operations: which dock configurations work best, how to organize your workspace, and common bottlenecks to avoid.
Read Article →Your first R2 audit can feel overwhelming. There's a lot to prepare, and auditors will examine everything from your policies to your physical facility. But with the right preparation, you can pass with confidence.
This guide walks through the audit process step by step, highlights common findings that trip up first-timers, and provides a checklist to make sure you're ready.
Read Article →Documentation, downloads, and developer resources.
Download the latest version of IQValidate agents for Windows and Linux.
Sign In to Download →The IT asset disposition industry has its own vocabulary. Here are some terms you'll encounter.
A formal document certifying that specific data-bearing devices have been sanitized or destroyed according to defined standards. Typically includes device identifiers, destruction method, date, and responsible party.
The documented chronological history of an asset—who handled it, where it was located, and what was done to it at each step. Essential for proving that security protocols were followed throughout the disposition process.
The process of deliberately, permanently, and irreversibly removing or destroying data stored on a storage device. Methods include overwriting, cryptographic erasure, and physical destruction.
A command built into ATA-specification drives that triggers the drive's internal sanitization routine. Particularly effective for SSDs where traditional overwriting may not reach all data locations.
The process of confirming that sanitization was successful. May involve reading sectors to confirm they've been overwritten, checking drive status registers, or performing spot-check data recovery attempts.