Windows 11 security issue. Who Knew?
Back in February 2022 Microsoft published the following alert regarding the following “known issue” in Windows 11.
“When attempting to reset a Windows device with apps that have folders such as OneDrive or OneDrive for Business, files which have been downloaded or synced locally from OneDrive might not be deleted* when selecting the “Remove everything” option.”
*our emphasis
How many enterprise IT Operations Managers or Information Security Officers were aware of this at the time? I wonder how many are aware of this now.
I suspect not many at all.
This is yet another reason to implement higher standards of data sanitisation when disposing of decommissioned laptops and PC’s.
Fortunately, companies have multiple onsite and offsite options to ensure their data is securely wiped.
HDD’s can be wiped onsite using accredited data sanitisation software, using existing resources of those of a specialist ITAD service provider. IT professionals can be assured that no devices leave site before they’ve sighted tamper-proof reports and certificates that each and every hard drive has already been successfully wiped.
In some cases offsite processing may be a better option. Once an inventory or manifest has been taken, the devices can be securely transported to the ITAD partner’s facility where the drives can be wiped, degaussed or even physically destroyed.
A number of factors should be taken into account when choosing between location, resources and data wipe methods, each having differing impacts on security, cost and convenience.
Get in touch by clicking the button below and we’ll schedule a convenient time to consider which option best suits your circumstances.