Services · Data erasure
Certified data erasure – with proof for every device.
As a Blancco ITAD Silver Partner, MB-Smart erases smartphones, tablets, laptops, servers and drives with certified software and issues a tamper-proof erasure certificate for every device.
In brief
At a glance.
- What
- Certified data erasure with Blancco software – in use since 2019, today a ITAD Silver Partner
- For whom
- Businesses, public authorities and organisations with GDPR documentation duties
- Proof
- Erasure certificate for each device or drive
- Process
- Registration, erasure, verification, certificate; non-erasable drives are destroyed
- Area
- Collection anywhere in Germany
Certified data erasure
How does certified data erasure work?
Certified erasure software uses recognised methods appropriate to the storage medium and verifies the outcome. Each device or storage medium receives a digitally signed, tamper-resistant Blancco erasure certificate identifying the device, serial number, drive, method, date and result. The certificate provides evidence for data protection officers, customers and auditors. A factory reset alone does not provide equivalent documentation; whether recoverable data remains depends on the device and storage technology.
Certified data erasure
What we erase.
- Smartphones and tablets (iOS, Android)
- Laptops, PCs and workstations
- Servers and storage systems
- Individual drives: SSDs, HDDs, NVMe
Certified data erasure
What the erasure certificate contains.
- Device and serial number
- Drive with type and capacity
- Erasure method used
- Result of the erasure
- Date and verification log
Certified data erasure
Why Blancco.
Blancco is one of the world’s leading providers of certified data erasure. We have relied on the software since 2019: it uses erasure methods appropriate to the storage medium and documents every process in a tamper-proof way. As a ITAD Silver Partner, we use Blancco throughout our entire process.
Certified data erasure
And if a drive cannot be erased?
Non-erasable or faulty drives are separated, documented, properly destroyed and disposed of – through our certified partner AWG Klövenhausen.
Certified data erasure
Software we use.
Smartphones and tablets: Blancco Mobile Diagnostics & Erasure. Laptops, desktops and servers (HDD/SSD): Blancco Drive Eraser.
Certified data erasure
Smartphones and tablets (iOS, Android).
Blancco Mobile Diagnostics & Erasure uses NIST SP 800-88 Clear or Purge. Modern encrypted devices are erased cryptographically by destroying the encryption key, followed by verification – not conventional sector overwriting.
Certified data erasure
HDDs.
Blancco Drive Eraser overwrites HDDs, including hidden areas (HPA/DCO), and verifies the result in accordance with NIST Clear.
Certified data erasure
SSDs and NVMe.
Depending on drive support, Blancco Drive Eraser uses firmware-based Sanitize, Secure Erase or Crypto Erase commands for NIST Purge or Clear. Overwriting alone is insufficient because of wear levelling.
Certified data erasure
Non-erasable or faulty storage media.
Media that cannot be securely erased are physically destroyed and properly disposed of with evidence.
NIST SP 800-88 Clear & PurgeGDPR-compliant data erasureWhy Blancco?
Independently tested erasure software.
We use Blancco software. According to the manufacturer, Blancco solutions have, among others, the following approvals and certifications:
- BSI: Blancco has been approved by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
- TÜV Saarland: certifies the Blancco erasure software as a reliable method for erasing mobile devices, removable media and hard drives, among others.
- ADISA: Blancco Mobile Device Eraser is certified to ADISA Test Level I; the Blancco SSD erasure method has been tested to ADISA Levels I & II.
- NATO: Blancco erasure products are listed in the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue (NIAPC).
- Further approvals: ANSSI (France), Swedish Armed Forces, NBV (Netherlands).
- Common Criteria (ISO 15408): according to the manufacturer, Blancco Drive Eraser is certified to Common Criteria – an internationally recognised security certification accepted by governments in 31 countries.
- Blancco Technology Group is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 27001.
Source: Blancco Technology Group, certification overview (as of 2023). These certifications relate to the software or its manufacturer, not to MB-Smart.
Sample erasure certificate
What your erasure report looks like.
The sample report shows the NIST 800-88 Purge erasure method, timestamps and the erasure status “Erased”. It also includes hardware details, battery health and component testing. Device identifiers in this sample have been redacted.
View sample report (PDF)For insurers and warranty providers: recovery of claims devices and refurbished replacements
Good to know
Frequently asked questions.
Isn’t a factory reset sufficient?
Not always. Depending on the device and storage type, data may be recoverable after a reset. Certified erasure provides certainty and proof.
Can I order data erasure without a buyback?
Yes, just get in touch.
Do I receive the certificates digitally?
Yes, you receive the certificates and the report digitally for your order.
