Removng Data the Right Way
Data security isn’t about destroying everything. In many cases, data must be preserved—sometimes for legal reasons, sometimes for business continuity, and sometimes simply because it matters personally.
Photos, records, intellectual property, and regulated data often need to be retained securely. The challenge is knowing what to keep, where to store it, and how to protect it during transitions like device upgrades or system changes.
Preservation starts with intentional backups. Data should be transferred to secure storage before a device is retired. That might be a new device, encrypted external storage, or a trusted cloud service. What matters is that the data is protected, accessible, and not left behind.
Encryption plays a key role here. Preserved data should be unreadable without authorization. Masking and access controls help limit exposure, especially when data must be retained but not actively used.
This pillar reframes data security as balance—not deletion versus risk, but protection versus loss. When preservation is handled properly, it enables secure progress without sacrificing valuable information.
Key takeaway: Data privacy isn’t deleting everything—it’s protecting what matters.
MYTH vs FACT
MYTH: The safest data is data you delete.
FACT: Some data must be retained—securely—for operations, legal requirements, or personal reasons.
KEY RISK
Poor backups (unencrypted drives, shared folders, or unvetted cloud storage) can create new exposure even while trying to do the right thing.
PRO TIP: When retiring a device, do an “account sweep
Back up first, then secure it: encrypt, limit access, and store backups separately from devices being retired.
COMPLIANCE NOTE
Maps cleanly to HIPAA/SOX-style retention expectations (keep required records, protect confidentiality) and aligns with NIST guidance on secure storage and controlled access.