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Secure Destruction

What is Secure Destruction?

The complete and irreversible elimination of data and storage media through approved methods such as shredding, incineration, or degaussing.

Information Security

Frameworks that govern secure destruction

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0View framework →CIS Controls v8View framework →

What the standards actually require on secure destruction

Requirements naming secure destruction across 3 standards, quoted from the control text.

Canadian PIPEDA1 control

Schedule 1, 4.5.3: information no longer required must be destroyed, erased or made anonymous; guidelines and procedures governing destruction are required.

PIPEDA-4.5.3 · Secure Destruction and Retention →
IRS Publication 10751 control

Sections 9.1-9.2 of IRS Publication 1075 establish FTI-specific requirements that are NOT covered by NIST SP 800-53 but are specific to the IRS FTI protection regime.

IRSPub1075-Section91-92-FTI-Specific-Recordkeeping-Disclosure-Transmission-Restriction-MinSafeguards · IRS Publication 1075 Sections 9.1-9.2 + FTI-Specific Requirements + Recordkeeping + Disclosure Restrictions + Transmission Requirements + Minimum Protection Standards + Printing + Inventory + Destruction →
Law No. 2013-450 of 19 June 2013 on the Protection of Personal Data1 control

Cote dIvoire Law 2013-450 Articles 13-26 + Decree 2017-740 lawful basis for processing. Article 14 consent (consentement) - explicit + specific + informed + free + unambiguous + withdrawable + revocable + special form for minors via legal guardian + verifiable...

CI-DPL-Lawful-Basis-Consent-Notice-Information-Data-Quality-Articles-13-26-Specific-Informed-Unambiguous · Cote dIvoire Law 2013-450 Lawful Basis + Consent + Notice + Data Quality Principles →

Questions people ask about secure destruction

What is Secure Destruction?
The complete and irreversible elimination of data and storage media through approved methods such as shredding, incineration, or degaussing.
Why is Secure Destruction important for compliance?
Secure Destruction is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding secure destruction helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Secure Destruction?
Secure Destruction appears in the requirement text of Canadian PIPEDA, IRS Publication 1075, Law No. 2013-450 of 19 June 2013 on the Protection of Personal Data. Across these standards we have identified 3 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Secure Destruction?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how secure destruction applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Secure Destruction applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.