intimus VZ MultiMedia – The economic data security solution for optical and magnetic data storage media

Secure data erasure is a top priority for every IT manager and data security officer, with one of the greatest IT security challenges presented by optical and magnetic data carriers.

The wide range of information, which is stored on hard disk drives and magnetic tapes, makes many companies vulnerable to breaches in data security and to data theft, if their data storage equipment ends up in the wrong hands. Mechanical destruction of data on discarded hard disk drives, CDs and magnetic tapes is still the safest method.

"Since the 1970s, intimus stands for the reliable and safe destruction of data storage media," reports Gert Buchholz, Director Business Development at Martin Yale International. "We have thereby always focused on the specific areas of application of our target group. For instance, we initially supplied shredders that ground microfiches into dust. In the meantime, we have accompanied digital data media along its developmental path: from carbon tapes and video cassettes on to floppy disks, CDs, ZIP and DAT bands, and finally to today's magnetic hard disks."

In the year 2000, the company presented its VZ product range. It includes industrial machines for the destruction of optical and magnetic data media, along with entire hard disk drives at simultaneously high throughputs.

"In the past decade, data media and their storage capacities have developed at a rapid pace. Starting with floppy disks with only 1.4 MB storage capacity, a wide range of optical and magnetic data media flooded the market with increasingly larger storage capacities at steadily falling prices," explains Buchholz. "This development has drastically changed our daily handling of files and data. The continuous advancement makes data storage media quickly outdated and all this memory in discarded computers, laptops, copiers and mobile telephones, and the like are real data bombs, which companies need to dispose of safely."

For a private household, drilling a hole through the hard disk drive or taking a hammer to it may be sufficient measures, to prevent amateurs from accessing data. Companies that are subject to the Federal Data Protection Act, must fulfil significantly higher requirements, in order to avoid embarrassing data leaks. For data media destruction that is equally secure and cost-effective, the intimus product range offers two options.

• The intimus VZ MultiMedia 150 Office shredder is tailor-made for use in the office or IT department. The device can be plugged into a standard one-phase socket for operation and shreds up to 60 hard disk drives per hour in small, crumpled pieces that are as little as 18.5 mm. This corresponds with Security Level H4 of the new DIN 66 399 for particularly sensitive and confidential data.

• The 400V intimus VZ MultiMedia 150 is suitable for the destruction of larger volumes, also shredding up to 180 hard disk drives per hour in pieces that are 18.5 mm wide, which also complies with Security Level H4.

• Both units shred nearly all conventional optical and magnetic data media like hard disk drives up to 3.5", floppy disks, video cassettes, carbon tapes, electric circuit boards, CD/DVD, DDS and DLT bands.

• The unit is fed over a special loading hatch. This technology prevents the user from getting too close to the cutting mechanism when the device is switched on. At the same time it ensures continuous feed and safe working conditions.

• The sturdy cutting mechanism is especially configured for industrial requirements and is constructed to be extremely maintenance-friendly. It can be resharpened when necessary.

• The shredded material is collected in commercial transport receptacles, which significantly facilitates its transfer to recycling companies. Access to the receptacles located underneath is also secured with a limit switch, thereby ensuring maximum operational safety.

• After the start button has been activated, all device functions are controlled fully automatically by a specially programmed Moeller PLC. This enables easy operation of the unit even by inexperienced users.

"Since years now, shredders from the intimus VZ MultiMedia series have been a valuable asset," says Gert Buchholz. "They are powerful, reliable and efficient – regardless of how many hard disk drives and magnetic data storage media they need to destroy, intimus VZ MultiMedia is the right choice." For areas with high-level security requirements, Buchholz recommends the intimus HDD Granulator, which achieves destruction in compliance with up to Security Level H6.