EP2316574A2 - Method for reducing the readability of data stored on hard drives and device for crushing hard drives - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves deleting the data stored on the hard disk (5) with a special software-programming. The data is overwritten multiple times with the special software-program having incidentally complex data. The hard disk is mechanically crushed. The mechanical crushing takes place in a shredder. An independent claim is also included for a device, particularly shredder for shredding hard disks.

Description

The invention relates to a method for preventing the readability of data stored on hard disks after their use and a device for the comminution of hard disks and the like data carriers, in particular shredders.

To comply with and implement data protection and to prevent unauthorized knowledge of data from offices, authorities, companies and persons, especially security-related data, it is necessary that even on data carriers, especially hard drives of personal computers, servers, digital copying, printers, telecommunications equipment u , Like. Data storage, stored data are deprived of their unauthorized access after their intended use.

In practice, the overwriting of data with special software is common. Software overwrite tools are loaded onto a computer (PC) or server and execute the overwrite process after a start command. These tools write random, complex data that does not make sense to all areas of a disk accessible to a user. Most override tools repeat the process several times.

Another method is demagnetizing the hard disk. Originally, this process was developed for the deletion of floppy disks and magnetic tapes. During demagnetization, the hard disk is exposed to a strong magnetic field. The magnetic medium is repolarized so that the stored data is effectively erased. However, it is a method with unwanted side effects. The resulting by-product electromagnetic radiation may affect nearby electronic devices. Therefore, devices for demagnetizing, especially those with high performance, a shield or are used in an isolated environment, whereby the necessary equipment or labor costs rise not insignificant.

Another method is the simple mechanical destruction of the disk. A term that leaves a lot of scope for possible interpretations. Many professional, commercial crushing services companies use proprietary technologies to reduce hard drives to particles. Some companies that do not use professional shredding services resort to techniques of dubious value, such as using a 20-ton press or sledgehammer, to disassembling the device so that the data-storing layers of the removed plates are removed by grinding or etching can be.

The known methods and apparatus are therefore methods that are not completely safe or methods that are very expensive.

Another way to erase hard drive data is to use the Secure Erase software. This software tool is different from normal overwriting. This tool uses a code contained in the disk itself to invoke a single-pass deletion. Since only a single pass is needed, less time is needed.

Almost all SATA, IDE and ATA hard drives manufactured since 2001 (and many devices manufactured since 1999 ) are compatible with Secure Erase. For most hard drives, the process takes less than an hour, with extremely large hard drives, such as hard drives. However, for example, hard drives with 300 GB and more storage capacity take much longer to complete.

This software tool is a one-pass cleanup process that eliminates data in all user-accessible areas of the storage medium. After cleaning up, there is not just no operating system on the hard disk, just empty space in all areas of the hard disk.

However, the only exceptions are the device control areas, which are not accessible to the user but can be read by IT specialists. Finally, on such deleted disks still something readable.

Therefore, the object of the invention in the improvement of known methods and / or devices with which the readability and recoverability of data stored on data carriers, especially hard drives data is to be prevented after their intended use; At the same time, the equipment-related and the expenditure of working time to achieve a data security level C should be low compared to what is known.

The object is achieved with a method for preventing the readability of data stored on hard disks with the features of claim 1. To carry out the method, in particular a device with the features of claim 6 is proposed according to the invention. Procedural embodiments of the invention are disclosed with the claims 2 to 5 and device embodiments with the claims 7 to 12.

• in einem ersten Verfahrensschritt mit einem speziellen Software-Programm gelöscht wird,
  oder
  mit einem speziellen Software-Programm mit zufälligen komplexen Daten, die keinen Sinn ergeben, vielfach überschrieben wird
  oder
  entmagnetisiert wird,
  und
• in einem unmittelbar anschließenden zweiten Verfahrensschritt die Festplatte mechanisch zerkleinert wird.

The new method according to the invention for preventing the unauthorized readability of data stored on hard disks is such that the still having data hard disk or the like disk after use of the stored data or after a defect of the hard disk or reaching their maximum operating hours

• is deleted in a first step with a special software program,
  or
  with a special software program with random complex data that does not make sense, is often overwritten
  or
  is demagnetized,
  and
• in an immediately subsequent second process step, the hard disk is mechanically comminuted.

The mechanical comminution is advantageously carried out in a shredder, wherein this mechanical comminution takes place in at least two stages, such that coarse particles are produced during the first comminution, which are then comminuted into much smaller, fine to very fine particles during the second mechanical comminution.

If necessary, further comminution can be carried out after the second comminution, in which the particle size becomes finer and finer.

The inventor has recognized the fact that the time span between the exit of the coarse particles produced by the data carriers in the first cutting unit from this first cutting unit and their entry into the cutting gap of the following second cutting unit for a change in the mass center of each particle during free fall Location of the particles in a horizontal position is insufficient.

The coarse particles produced in the first cutter usually exit the outlet of the first cutter in a substantially vertical orientation. Due to the fact that devices of this type are usually designed to be compact, so compact, the manufacturers are kept the distance between the first cutting unit and the following second cutting unit, for the fine comminution, as low as possible.

This is counterproductive with respect to a free alignment of the coarse particles produced by the first cutting mechanism with respect to a cutting-technically favorable orientation of the position for the entry of the same into the second cutting mechanism.

The time of free fall of these coarse particles is therefore naturally shorter here than the time it takes for these particles to assume a transverse position to the fall direction in accordance with their center of mass.

Therefore, another essential aspect of the invention is the extension of the time span between the exit of the coarse particles from the one cutting unit and entry into the further, usually second cutting unit. In particular, it is envisaged that this period between the comminution to particles and the subsequent further comminution of these particles is greater than the fall time which these particles due to their gravity from the exit from the means of comminution to the entry into the means for the need the following further crushing.

The method is in the period between a comminution to particles and the following further Comminution of these particles provided that obtained by the means for the comminuting particles with physically acting means an orientation of their position with respect to their entry into the means for the subsequent further comminution.

To achieve this, it is provided according to the invention that the particles emerging from the first cutting mechanism essentially in the vertical direction initially fall on a sliding surface which is at a preferably variable angle to the vertical, and then abut against a baffle surface. Every slight inclination of the coarse particles to the vertical, in conjunction with the sliding surface and / or the impact surface, thus causes the falling coarse particles to lie transversely to the conveying direction.

Thus, thus with a transverse position to the conveying direction (fall direction) in the inlet opening and then into the cutting gap of the second cutting mechanism, ie transversely to the rotating cutting discs, get. This ensures that the coarse particles formed by the pre-shredding of the hard disk in the second cutting unit are crushed many times compared to their first state, as if the coarse particles would reach the second cutting unit vertically or only slightly obliquely to the vertical.

Each sliding surface and each baffle surface according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a multi-limbed U-shaped metering chamber, quasi a trough, which are arranged at a arranged between the cutting units horizontally and substantially parallel to the axes of rotation of the cutting rollers of the two cutting units mounted dosing. In an advantageous embodiment, at least two or more, in particular three or four metering chambers are arranged on the rotatable metering shaft and together form a manipulator for the transfer of the particles from the first cutting unit to the second cutting unit.

With the method and / or the device according to the invention, the readability of data on a hard disk or the like data carrier after the intended use or after a defect of the hard disk can be prevented with equipment low effort and / or little time. With the method as well as with the device, a data security level of at least the category "C" is achieved.

In accordance with the specifications of the potential users for the device, the hard disk shredder, regarding the security level to be achieved and to be ensured, the arrangement of two can also be arranged in a further development of the invention Manipulators between the first and the second

Be advantageous cutting unit or the arrangement of a third cutting mechanism, which follows the second cutting mechanism, wherein between the second and the third cutting unit in turn a unit with metering chambers, that is said manipulator is provided.

To achieve very small particles as possible according to the invention, the use of so-called particle cutting units advantageous, the particle size is chosen from the first to the last cutting each smaller.

In these cutting units, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cutting edge of each cutting tooth is shaped convex or truncated pyramid in the direction of each recess leading recess. As a result, each particle produced is additionally bent during cutting. The particles experience a deformation which makes it difficult to reassemble a hard disk from the particles produced or makes it impossible to read reassembled hard disks.

The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting schematic drawings Embodiments closer and further explained in detail.

Show

FIG. 1

a novel device according to the invention for shredding hard disks or similar data carrier in a schematic representation

and FIG. 2

a schematic view of a modular unit according to the invention, with a device for shredding hard disks and a unit for deleting, overwriting or demagnetizing hard disks.

The FIG. 1 shows an inventive device 1 for shredding, the crushing of hard disks 5 and the like data carriers. In a housing 2, here indicated by a dashed line, a first cutting unit 3 and under selbigem 3 by far a second cutting unit 4 is arranged. The outlet opening 3b of the first cutting mechanism 3 is aligned substantially in alignment with the inlet opening 4a of the second cutting mechanism 4.

Between the first cutting unit 3 and the second cutting unit 4, a manipulator 6 is arranged, which is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation 10. The rotation axis 10 of the manipulator 6 is arranged substantially parallel to the axes of rotation of the cutting units 3, 4.

The manipulator 6 comprises in this embodiment a plurality of metering chambers 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. Each dosing chamber 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is formed by a sliding surface 7 and an impact surface 8 adjoining the end pointing in the direction of rotation, wherein the sliding surface 7 and the impact surface 8 are arranged at an angle "W" to each other, this angle W being preferred 90 °, but is not limited to this value of 90 °.

The sliding surface 7 and the baffle 8 are each plate-shaped, formed for example by a metal sheet.

The axis of rotation 10 of the manipulator 6 is preferably a square tube (metering shaft), so that the attachment of the sliding surface 7 and the baffle 8 manufacturing technology is particularly favorable.

Each plate-shaped part 11 has a double function. One side of each plate-shaped part 11 is the baffle 8 of a metering chamber and its other surface side is the sliding surface 7 of the leading metering chamber. The free end portion 11a of each plate-shaped part 11 is directed angled against the direction of rotation. As a result, each dosing chamber receives a U-shaped cross-section, that is designed in the manner of a trough. Preferably, the angle W between the Sliding surface 7 and the baffle 8 obtuse, preferably between 90 ° and 130 °.

The inserted into the inlet opening 3a hard disk 5 is crushed in the first cutting unit 3 between the cutting discs (without reference numeral) into coarse particles 5a. These fall from the outlet opening 3b of the first cutting unit 3 in each located below the outlet opening 3b dosing 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d of the manipulator 6. They 5a meet in this first on the sliding surface 7, along which they 5a then up to the baffle 8 slide. After initiation of this baffle 8, the substantially first vertically falling particles 5a align in a horizontal position due to their center of gravity, as in Fig. 1 in the area of the collision of sliding surface 7 and baffle 8 can be seen. In the further rotational movement according to the shown rotary arrow of the respective metering chamber in the direction of the inlet opening 4a of the second cutting unit 4, the further horizontal alignment of the coarse particles 5a, so they 5a then, with appropriate position of the respective metering chamber, on the free end edge 11a of the respective baffle 8 pass into the inlet opening 4a of the second cutting unit 4 and enter with a substantially horizontal orientation in the cutting gap 4c of the second cutting unit 4 and there to substantially smaller, fine and fine particles 5b are crushed, which precipitate out of the outlet opening 4b and are collected in a container, not shown.

This design is also advantageous for well-metered emptying of the transverse particles in the inlet opening 4a of the next cutting unit, here the second cutting 4. By the temporally gradual and by the orderly and close to the inlet opening 4a taking place the coarse particles to the other cutting is a mutual disturbance of the falling particles, ie in particular disturbing their transverse position to the conveying direction (direction of fall), almost suppressed.

In the FIG. 2 is shown another possible embodiment. In a schematic view, a modular unit for preventing the readability of data stored on data carriers, in particular on hard disks, with a device 1 for shredding hard disks and a device 9 for erasing, overwriting or demagnetizing hard disks is shown. With this modular unit, the method according to the invention can be advantageously carried out.

The data still having disk 5 or the like disk is deleted in a first step with a special software program, or with a special software program with random complex Data that does not make sense, often overwritten or demagnetized, and then mechanically comminuted several times in an immediately subsequent second process step in the device 1 according to the invention.

The invention also includes, in particular, embodiments that can be formed by combining features or elements described in connection with the present invention. Thus, according to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the manipulator is a funnel in which the sliding surfaces and the baffles are baffles, wherein each baffle surface is at the same time sliding surface with respect to the following baffle surface. In addition, in the conveying direction, the length of the respective following sliding surface may be shorter than the length of the previous impact surface or sliding surface.

References directory

1

Device for shredding hard disks

2

casing

3

first cutting unit

3a

Inlet opening (funnel)

3b

outlet opening

4

second cutting unit

4a

inlet opening

4b

outlet opening

4c

cutting gap

5

Hard disk (disk)

5a

coarse particles

5b

fine, finest particles

6

manipulator

6a, 6b, 6c, 6d

metering

7

sliding surface

8th

baffle

9

Erase, overwrite or demagnetizer

10

Rotary axis (from Pos. 6)

11

plate-shaped part

11a

free end section (from pos. 11)

W

Angle between pos. 7 and 8

Claims (12)

Method for preventing the readability of data stored on hard disks, wherein the data stored on the hard disk (5) or the like disk 1.1 in a first step with 1.1.1 deleted a special software program, or 1.1.2 a special software program with random complex data that make no sense, many times overwritten
or 1.1.3 be demagnetized,
and 1.2 in an immediately subsequent second process step, the hard disk (5) is mechanically comminuted. Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the mechanical comminution takes place in a shredder (1). Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the mechanical comminution takes place in at least two stages, such that during a first comminution coarse particles are produced, which are then comminuted into at least a second and possibly further mechanical comminution into respectively much smaller, fine particles. Method according to claims 2 and 3,
characterized in that
in the period between the comminution to particles and the subsequent further comminution of these particles obtained by the means for the comminuting particles with physically acting means an orientation of their position with respect to their entry into the means for the subsequent further comminution. Method according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the time interval between the comminution to particles and the subsequent further comminution of these particles is greater than the fall time which these particles require by gravity from exiting the means of comminution to entering the means for subsequent further comminution. Apparatus for shredding hard disks and similar data carriers, in particular shredders (1), comprising at least two cutting mechanisms (3, 4), wherein the inlet opening (4a) of the respective second cutting mechanism (4) with respect to the outlet opening (3b) of the respective first cutting mechanism (4) 3) is aligned,
characterized in that
in the respective first cutting unit (3) cutting rollers for a pre-crushing and in each subsequent second cutting unit (4) cutting rollers are arranged for a finer crushing. Device according to claim 6,
characterized in that
between the respective first cutting mechanism (3) and the respectively following second cutting mechanism (4) a manipulator (6) for influencing the position of the particles produced by the respective first cutting mechanism (3) with respect to the transfer to the cutting gap (4c) and the cutting discs of the respective second cutting mechanism (4) is arranged. Device according to claim 7,
characterized in that
the manipulator (6) has at least two substantially U-shaped metering chambers (6a, 6b; 6c; 6d) for receiving the coarse particles (5a) produced by the respective first cutting unit (3) and for passing on these coarse particles (5a) to the inlet opening (4a) of the respective second cutting mechanism (4). Device according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized in that
the manipulator (6) is rotatable. Device according to one of claims 7, 8 or 9,
characterized in that
the manipulator (6) has at least one sliding surface (7) and one baffle surface (8) for influencing the position of the temporarily received particles (5a). Device according to claim 10,
characterized in that
each sliding surface (7) and each associated baffle surface (8) is integral with in each case one of the metering chambers (6a, 6b; 6c; 6d). Device according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized by predominantly use for carrying out the method for preventing the readability of data stored on hard disks or similar data carriers according to one of claims 1 to 5.

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