Blancco Reduces Rising Data Breach Risk from Tablets and Smartphones with Internationally Approved Erasure Solution - Jan 31 2012
TÜV SÜD approval of Blancco Mobile Edition assures organizations of thorough data removal from mobile devices set for reuse or disposal
Joensuu, Finland, January 31, 2012 – Businesses often view data threats from mobile devices like smartphones and tablets in terms of malware, phishing, and spyware, but improper decommissioning can pose an even bigger security risk, according to Blancco, the global leader in data erasure and computer reuse solutions. Analysts estimate that more than 100 million mobile phones are now recycled each year, yet surveys show that from 20 to 90 percent reach the secondhand market with sensitive data. While many corporate security policies address removal of data from servers and laptops before reassignment, resale or donation, mobile devices are often overlooked, despite similar repercussions as larger equipment in terms of regulatory fines and damages to corporate reputation.
Blancco Mobile Edition data erasure software offers businesses, as well as the third-party information technology asset disposal (ITAD) specialists who support them, an extra level of assurance that all data has been wiped from mobile devices. The software’s effectiveness in sanitizing data was recently approved by the internationally recognized testing agency TÜV SÜD, complementing its adherence to DoD data erasure standards. The approval comes at a time when many businesses are developing or assessing their mobile device policy.
“IT asset and security managers now recognize that simply destroying a smartphone’s SIM card and performing a factory reset doesn’t always fully erase internal and external memory,” said Kim Väisänen, CEO and Co-Founder of Blancco. “Blancco Mobile Edition removes data from mobile devices while creating a detailed erasure report as proof. A growing number of security- and compliance-minded companies – including a major international chemical company with more than 50,000 employees – have embraced the apprvoved Blancco Mobile Edition as a security best practice.”
With Blancco Mobile Edition, a single operator is capable of erasing more than 300 smartphones per day, with automatically-generated erasure reports providing details such as serial number, IMEI code and storage capacity - all important details for resale and reuse purposes. Blancco Mobile Edition is TÜV SÜD approved for Android, Blackberry, Symbian and Windows Mobile platforms, with approval expected for Apple iOS in Q1 2012.
Media Contact:
Monica Shaw
+1 770 367 9534
mshaw@carabinerpr.com
Blancco Oy Ltd.
Kim Väisänen, CEO and Co-Founder
+358 50 585 2885
kim.vaisanen@blancco.com
About Blancco
Blancco is the proven data erasure solution for millions of users around the globe. As the global leader in data erasure and computer reuse solutions, Blancco offers the most certified data erasure solutions within the industry. The company serves users across a wide range of industries, including banking, finance, government and defense. The company’s products are highly valued by IT asset disposal professionals around the world. Blancco operates from an extensive network of international offices and partners across Europe, North America, Middle East, Asia and Australasia.
Blancco supports both European Privacy and Data Protection Day 2012 and Data Privacy Day 2012 as a timely reminder for organizations to adopt and enforce a comprehensive data security policy, including removal of all data from used or disposed IT assets. As part of this policy, the company recommends secure, certified erasure of data from these assets before they are reassigned or disposed using technology that provides an erasure report for audit and enforcement purposes. Blancco’s support of European Privacy and Data Protection Day 2012 and Data Privacy Day 2012 includes educating businesses and government on how data erasure protects personal, corporate and other sensitive data, as well as how it helps companies achieve compliance with evolving data protection standards and regulations.
“As a global leader in data erasure solutions, Blancco is committed to helping organizations secure their data and to meet or exceed regulatory compliance requirements by incorporating best erasure practices as part of an overall data security policy,” said Kim Väisänen, CEO and Co-Founder of Blancco. “Blancco’s support of European Privacy and Data Protection Day 2012 and Data Privacy Day 2012 highlights our dedication to education and action on data security issues around the globe.”
Despite growing legislative and industry demands, however, many company policies still do not address data erasure of IT assets, leaving them open to costly data breaches in terms of regulatory fines and damaged reputation. By incorporating certified data erasure technology as part of a comprehensive data security strategy, businesses can erase a full range of electronic equipment before it is reused, disposed of or donated, including computers, servers, smartphones, flash media and data center hardware. As part of the automated data erasure process, a detailed report is generated, providing proof that the data was removed for compliance with regulations and overall security policy enforcement.
The Council for Europe and EU Countries is hosting the 5th International Computers, Privacy & Data Protection Conference (CPDP) in Brussels from 25 to 27 January.
For more information about data erasure and Blancco’s comprehensive suite of erasure products, visit www.blancco.com.
Media Contact:
Kim Väisänen
CEO and Co-Founder
Blancco Oy Ltd.
+358 50 585 2885
kim.vaisanen@blancco.com
About Blancco
Blancco is the proven data erasure solution for millions of users around the globe. As the global leader in data erasure and computer reuse solutions, Blancco offers the most certified data erasure solutions within the industry. The company serves users across a wide range of industries, including banking, finance, government and defense. The company’s products are highly valued by IT asset disposal professionals around the world. Blancco operates from an extensive network of international offices and partners across Europe, North America, Middle East, Asia, and Australasia.