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 approved 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.