Hard drive eraser

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses and methods for erasing hard drives. A system, which can be configured as a stand-alone and portable apparatus, includes a control device configured to support an erase module. The erase module is configured to erase a hard drive such that data erased from the hard drive is forensically unrecoverable. The system further includes a user interface and at least one drive bay configured to provide communication between a hard drive and the control device.

1 . An apparatus for erasing hard drives, the apparatus comprising:
 a control device, the control device configured to support an erase module, the erase module configured to erase a hard drive such that data erased from the hard drive is forensically unrecoverable;   a user interface; and   at least one drive bay configured to provide communication between a hard drive and the control device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the erase module is configured to provide a current having a lower frequency than a current used to write the data. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the communication between the hard drive and the control device is configured such that impediments to data erasure in the hard drive are avoided. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein communication between the hard drive and control device is provided by a cable. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive bay comprises:
 an opening, a first port located within the opening, and a drive module, the drive module having at least one second port configured to receive a hard drive and at least one third port for connecting to the first port.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the drive module further comprises a support portion configured to stabilize the received hard drive. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage device configured to store information about an erase procedure. 
     
     
         8 . A system for erasing hard drives, the system comprising: a control device, the control device configured to support an erase module, the erase module configured to erase a hard drive such that data erased from the hard drive is forensically unrecoverable;
 a user interface enabling user input;   a plurality of drive bays connected to the control device, each drive bay configured to provide communication between a hard drive and the control device;   a storage device in communication with the control unit for storing information; and an output device in communication with the control unit for outputting information.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a network connection device enabling the control device to connect to a computer network. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the network connection device enables the control device to connect to the Internet. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least one drive bay further comprises a locking device, the locking device being in communication with the control device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the user interface is a touch screen monitor. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the output device is a printer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of drive bays are configured to be modular, such that one or more drive bays can be connected or disconnected from the control device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least one drive bay comprises a cable for providing communication between the hard drive and the control device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each drive bay comprises:
 an opening, a first port located within the opening, and a drive module, the drive module having at least one second port configured to receive a hard drive and at least one third port for connecting to the first port.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second port of a first drive module is configured to receive a first type of hard drive and the second port of a second hard drive module is configured to receive a second type of hard drive. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least second port is provided on an interface board, and wherein the interface board is removable from the drive module. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of locking devices, each locking device configured to lock a drive module into the opening of the respective drive bay. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein each drive module further comprises a support portion configured to stabilize the received hard drive. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the support portion is affixed to the drive module by a hinge, such that the support portion is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein, in the closed position, the support portion covers the second and third ports. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the control device, storage device and plurality of drive bays are integrated within a single apparatus. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the apparatus is portable. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the output device is integrated within the apparatus. 
     
     
         26 . A computer device comprising:
 at least one drive bay comprising a first port and configured to receive a drive module, and at least one drive module, the at least one drive module having at least one second port configured to receive a hard drive and at least one third port for connecting to the first port.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the second port of a first drive module is configured to receive a first type of hard drive and the second port of a second hard drive module is configured to receive a second type of hard drive. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the at least second port is provided on a first interface board, and wherein the first interface board is removable from the drive module. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the drive module is configured to receive a second interface board in place of the first interface board, the second interface board comprising at least a fourth port configured to receive a second type of hard drive. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein each drive module further comprises a support portion configured to stabilize the received hard drive. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the support portion is affixed to the drive module by a hinge, such that the support portion is moveable between an opened position and a closed position. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein, in the closed position, the support portion covers the second and third ports. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the drive module is removable from the drive bay. 
     
     
         34 . A method for erasing at least one hard drive, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing an apparatus configured to erase a hard drive, the apparatus comprising a plurality of drive bays, each drive bay for receiving a hard drive and providing communication between the hard drive and the apparatus;   placing a first hard drive to be erased in a first drive bay; copying data from the hard drive;   storing the copied data; and   operating the apparatus to conduct an erase procedure to erase data from the first hard drive, such that the data is forensically unrecoverable.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising, subsequent to the erase procedure, operating the apparatus to rewrite the copied data to the first hard drive. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising placing a second hard drive in a second drive bay, wherein the copied data is stored to the second hard drive. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising, prior to storing the copied data, operating the apparatus to conduct an erase procedure to erase data from the second hard drive. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a storage device, and further comprising operating the apparatus to store information about the erase procedure to the storage device, the stored information comprising at least one item from the group consisting of a drive serial number, a drive manufacture, a drive model, a drive size, a start date/time stamp, an end date/time stamp, an erasure method, an indication of success or failure, and a user who initiated the erase procedure. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an output device and further comprising operating the output device to output a certificate containing information about the erase procedure, the certificate information comprising at least one item from the group consisting of: a drive serial number, a drive manufacture, a drive model, a drive size, a start date/time stamp, an end date/time stamp, an erasure method, an indication of success or failure, and a user who initiated the erase procedure. 
     
     
         40 . A method for erasing at least one hard drive, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing an apparatus configured to erase a hard drive, the apparatus comprising a storage device, an output device and at least one drive bay for providing communication between a hard drive and the apparatus; placing a first hard drive in a first drive bay;   operating the apparatus to conduct a first erase procedure to erase data from the first hard drive; and storing information to the storage device about the first erase procedure, the stored information comprising at   least one item from the group consisting of: a drive serial number, a drive manufacture, a drive model, a drive size, a start date/time stamp, an end date/time stamp, an erasure method, an indication of success or failure, and a user who initiated the erase procedure.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an output device and further comprising operating the output device to output a certificate containing information about the first erase procedure, the certificate information comprising at least one item from the group consisting of: a drive serial number, a drive manufacture, a drive model, a drive size, a start date/time stamp, an end date/time stamp, an erasure method, an indication of success or failure, and a user who initiated the erase procedure. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein conducting the first erase procedure comprises writing over the data to be erased using a current having a lower frequency than a current used to write the data. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the act of placing the first hard drive in the first drive bay comprises providing communication between the hard drive and the apparatus such that impediments to data erasure in the hard drive are avoided. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising locking the first hard drive within the first drive bay using a locking device. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising detecting a locked or unlocked status of the locking device. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein, if, during the first erase procedure, the detected status of the locking device is unlocked, designating the erase procedure as failed. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the first erase procedure renders the erased data forensically unrecoverable. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the act of conducting the first erase procedure comprises conducting a predetermined number of write-overs. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising placing a second hard drive in a second drive bay. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising conducting a second erase procedure during at least a portion of a same time that the first erase procedure is being conducted. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the first erase procedure comprises:
 (a) writing over the first hard drive, erasing all data from the first drive such that the erased data is forensically unrecoverable, and (b) confirming that the data was erased by reading at least a portion of the first hard drive, wherein (a), (b) and (c) are conducted in order.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the first erase procedure comprises:
 (a) writing predetermined data to a plurality of portions of the first hard drive, (b) erasing all data from the first drive such that the erased data is forensically unrecoverable, and (c) confirming that the data was erased by reading only the plurality of portions of the first hard drive written to in (a), wherein (a), (b) and (c) are conducted in order.