Santa Barbara County Safeguards Data with Erasure Software

  • Oct 22, 2010

As with many government entities, a top priority for California's County of Santa Barbara (CSB) is protecting the personally identifiable information (PII) of constituents and employees. For CSB, this includes nearly half a million residents, 4,000 county employees, and thousands of businesses.

To avoid leaking sensitive data from information technology (IT) assets like PCs and servers, CSB's IT group carefully tracks assets from purchase through retirement – a challenging task given the county's decentralized structure. As part of its asset lifecycle management strategy, CSB turned to Blancco for a failsafe, verifiable way of removing data prior to asset disposal or reuse.

Certified data erasure software from Blancco provides CSB with the most advanced overwriting technology for 100 percent data removal, while offering detailed audit reports for IT policy enforcement. Although the software is centrally managed and administered by CSB's core IT group, it also supports local execution over the LAN.

"Certified data erasure software provides the county with consistency across the board in how data is removed, supported by industry best practices in data removal algorithms," said Daniel Milei, CSB's chief security officer and assistant director of IT. "In addition, the BlanccoReports.com website allows IT to manage the various CSB departments and create a hierarchy of users with specific erasure credentials and privileges for viewing reports."

CSB uses data erasure software for IT equipment that is reassigned to another department, donated to schools or charities, or permanently retired. Currently, around 30 CSB employees have privileges to erase IT equipment, but security officers in each department can assign additional staff for the task when necessary.

"From a best practices and liability protection standpoint, I am absolutely convinced that the county has greatly reduced the potential for data leaks, and the use of data erasure software has played an essential part in improving security processes," Milei continued. "Blancco not only enables our processes, it provides us the assurance that we are doing the best possible job in removing data."

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.