LEVELS OF CONFIDENTIAL DESTRUCTION
When a page is cut in half, it does not mean that the data on it has been destroyed. A characteristic example is the strips produced by common portable document shredders, which are found in many offices and can be easily reassembled using specialized software to reconstruct all pages to their original form. Many times our company receives such paper strips to enhance the level of destruction.
Therefore, there are various categories/levels of Confidential Destruction, depending on the standard used. The German Institute for Standardization ‘DIN’ (=Deutsches Institut Fuer Normung) is a non-profit organization founded in 1917. The standard 66399 is the updated standard system for the destruction of Data Storage Media, which has been in effect since September 2012 and replaced the standards ‘DIN 32757’ and ‘DIN EN 15713’. This new standard now describes 3 categories/classes of protection, 6 different types of Data Storage Media, and 7 security levels
Three Security Classes
Category 1:
Basic security requirement for internal data intended for a large group of people. Unauthorized disclosure would have limited negative consequences for the company. Protection of personal data must be ensured, otherwise there would be a risk to the position and financial situation of the individuals involved. Examples of data: Correspondence with personalized advertisements, directories, circulars, notes.
Category 2:
Higher requirements for the protection of confidential information, limited to a small group of people. Unauthorized disclosure would have significant consequences for the company and could violate its contractual obligations or laws. Protection of personal data must comply with high standards. Examples: Destruction of sensitive corporate data and/or personal documents requiring higher security than the first level.
Category 3:
Very high demand for protection of highly sensitive and confidential information limited to a small group of authorized individuals. Unauthorized dissemination would have serious, dangerous consequences for the company and would violate professional confidentiality, contracts, and laws. Absolute protection of personal information must be ensured. Examples: Destruction of confidential and classified documents critical to the company’s existence.
Six Types of Data Storage Media:
P = Paper Based Products
F = Film Based Products such as Microfilm, Slides, etc.
O = Optical Media such as CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disk, etc.
T = Magnetic Data Media such as Floppy Disks, Tapes, etc.
H = Internal & External Hard Drives
E = Electronic Data Media such as USB Sticks, Memory Cards, etc.
Seven Security Levels
Press to read our detailed guide on paper-based materials
DIN Security Standards
For more information, you can visit the official website of DIN
Other Storage Media
There are 6 different types of data storage media:
- Paper-based
- Film-based
- Optical storage media
- Magnetic storage media
- Hard Disk Drives
- Electronic storage media
| Safety category | Security Level for Optical Storage Media | Maximum Size |
| 1 | Ο-1 | 2000mm2 |
| 1 | Ο-2 | 800mm2 |
| 1 | Ο-3 | 160mm2 |
| 2 | Ο-4 | 30mm2 |
| 2 | Ο-5 | 10mm2 |
| 3 | Ο-6 | 0.5mm2 |
| 3 | Ο-7 | 0.2mm2 |
| Safety Category | Security Level for Hard Disks | Maximum Size |
| 1 | Η-1 | Μη λειτουργικό |
| 1 | Η-2 | Κατεστραμμένο |
| 1 | Η-3 | Παραμορφωμένο |
| 2 | Η-4 | 2000mm2 |
| 2 | Η-5 | 320mm2 |
| 3 | Η-6 | 160mm2 |
| 3 | Η-7 | 10mm2 |
| Safety Category | Security Level for Films | Maximum Size |
| 1 | F-1 | 160mm2 |
| 1 | F-2 | 30mm2 |
| 1 | F-3 | 10mm2 |
| 2 | F-4 | 2.5mm2 |
| 2 | F-5 | 1mm2 |
| 3 | F-6 | 0.5mm2 |
| 3 | F-7 | 0.2mm2 |
| Safety Category | Security Level for Electronic Storage Media | Maximum Size |
| 1 | E-1 | Μη λειτουργικό |
| 1 | E-2 | Κομμένο |
| 1 | E-3 | 160mm2 |
| 2 | E-4 | 30mm2 |
| 2 | E-5 | 10mm2 |
| 3 | E-6 | 1mm2 |
| 3 | E-7 | 0.5mm2 |
| Safety Category | Security Level for Magnetic Storage Media | Maximum Size |
| 1 | Τ-1 | Μη λειτουργικό |
| 1 | Τ-2 | Κομμένο |
| 1 | Τ-3 | 2000mm2 |
| 2 | Τ-4 | 320mm2 |
| 2 | Τ-5 | 160mm2 |
| 3 | Τ-6 | 10mm2 |
| 3 | Τ-7 | 2.5mm2 |