Archives

Maxxum Recertified as a NAID® AAA Information Destruction Operations Provider

August 4, 2014

NAID-AAA-CertLOGO

 

Recertification and new leading-edge service offerings help organizations satisfy rigorous electronic information protection and data destruction requirements

Minneapolis / St. Paul., MN – Maxxum Inc., a leading IT asset disposition solutions provider, has been recertified as a NAID® (National Association for Information Destruction) AAA Certified provider of Asset Disposition services – namely computer hard drive sanitization, as well as mobile and plant-based physical destruction of hard drives. The NAID AAA Certification Program establishes stringent standards for a secure information destruction process, including such areas as operational security, employee hiring and screening, documented processes responsible disposal and insurance. Working with a NAID AAA certified vendor gives organizations peace of mind know that all of their information destruction legal requirements are satisfied.

“Data protection and destruction is an increasingly significant and complex issue for our clients, and with NAID AAA Certified asset disposition services and other leading edge data security services Maxxum is well positioned to help these organizations protect their sensitive information while satisfying rigorous regulatory requirements,” says Rich Woodward, president and owner, Maxxum.

The enforcement of data privacy laws, often accompanied by significant fines, is becoming more prevalent, and over the past two years Maxxum’s client base has grown some 30 to 40 percent as organizations look for help not just with satisfying data destruction requirements, but establishing sound policies and procedures to keep sensitive data secure throughout the IT lifecycle.

“Where two years ago most of our clients were based in the Upper Midwest, today we work with organizations throughout the United States and even into Canada, providing a variety of value-added services to help them efficiently and effectively solve diverse data and IT equipment protection needs,” says Woodward. “We’ve also hired additional personnel to help keep pace with the growing demand for service.”

About NAID

NAID is the non-profit trade organization of the secure destruction industry. Founded in 1994, its mission is to promote proper destruction of all forms of discarded media containing personal and proprietary information. NAID has forged strong relationships internationally with policymakers and regulators, produces an extensive catalog of guidance publications, and enforces security standards for the secure destruction industry around the world.

About Maxxum

With secure, modern facilities located near Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, Maxxum is an IT lifecycle management consulting firm that works with a strong network of clients, suppliers, and recyclers to provide cost effective IT Asset Disposition solutions throughout North America.

As a NAID AAA Certified entity, Maxxum is committed to providing the best customer service in the industry. As IT lifecycle management consultants, every program Maxxum creates is fully customized to meet the specific needs of each client. Maxxum uses industry best practices to sanitize computers and information hearing devices, complete with Certifications of Destruction, as outlined by the Department of Defense Data Security Standard and the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Guidelines. Maxxum has a strict no-landfill policy.

Maxxum Inc., 1350 South Field Avenue, Rush City, MN 55069; 651-674-2715; www.maxxuminc.com.

NASA sold computers with sensitive data, report says

January 1, 2014

(Reuters, 2010) – NASA failed to delete sensitive data on computers and hard drives before selling the equipment as part of its plan to end the Space Shuttle program, an audit released on Tuesday shows.

NASA is getting rid of thousands of surplus items as it prepares to end the space shuttle program next year.

The Office of Inspector General found what it termed “serious” security breaches at NASA centers in Florida, Texas, California and Virginia.

“Our review found serious breaches in NASA’s IT (information technology) security practices that could lead to the improper release of sensitive information related to the Space Shuttle and other NASA programs,” NASA Inspector General Paul Martin said in a statement. “NASA needs to take coordinated and forceful actions to address this problem.”

The report cites 14 computers from the Kennedy Space Center that failed tests to determine if they were sanitized of sensitive information, 10 of which already had been released to the public. It also found that hard drives were missing from Kennedy and from the Langley Research Center in Virginia. Some of the Kennedy hard drives were later found inside a dumpster, where they were being stored before sale, that was accessible to the public, the audit says.

Investigators also found several pallets of computers being prepared for sale that were marked with NASA Internet Protocol addresses, which the report said could help hackers gain access to the NASA internal computer network. (Editing by Greg McCune)

Don’t allow your data to fall into the wrong hands. Demand certified drive sanitization and destruction. Demand Maxxum. We can help you build a comprehensive, cost-effective risk-management program that:

  • Eliminates potential data and environmental breaches, and
  • Offers a secure, documented chain of custody that mitigates liability