Webinar Description
Key Takeaways
- Examines the newly published IEEE 2883.1-2025 Recommended Practice for Use of Storage Sanitization Methods
- Identifies four critical exposure points in the IT asset lifecycle where data security risks are highest
- Covers sanitization method selection between Clear, Purge and Destruct approaches
- Addresses compliance documentation requirements and audit readiness
- Designed for CISOs, Data Protection Officers, IT Asset Management leaders and data centre managers
Introduction
This webinar examines the practical implications of IEEE 2883.1-2025, the recently published recommended practice for storage sanitization methods, for enterprise IT security and compliance professionals. The session addresses a persistent gap in organisational data protection strategies: the assumption that data sanitization is primarily an end-of-life concern. In reality, storage devices present exposure risks at multiple points throughout their operational lifecycle, from initial provisioning through to final disposal.
The timing reflects growing regulatory scrutiny around data handling practices and an evolving threat landscape where pre-installed malware and encryption key exposure represent tangible risks during device transitions. For organisations managing large storage estates, understanding where the IEEE 2883.1-2025 framework applies—and where its guidance has practical limitations—has become essential for maintaining defensible security postures.
About This Event
Titled “Four Points of Exposure. Zero Room for Assumptions,” this live webinar is led by Fredrik Forslund of Blancco. The session is available both as a live broadcast and on-demand for those unable to attend the scheduled time. The format is educational, focusing on interpreting the IEEE standard and translating its recommendations into operational practice for enterprise environments.
The Four Exposure Points in Asset Lifecycle Management
The webinar’s central framework identifies four distinct stages where storage devices are vulnerable to data exposure: provisioning, internal reuse, external reuse or resale, and disposal. Each stage presents different risk profiles and requires different sanitization considerations.
At provisioning, the concern centres on devices arriving with pre-installed malware or residual data from previous deployments—a risk that has increased as supply chains have become more complex. Internal reuse, where devices move between departments or security domains within an organisation, requires sanitization decisions that balance operational efficiency against the sensitivity of previously stored data. External reuse and resale introduce third-party exposure risks, while disposal represents the traditional focus of sanitization programmes but is only one piece of a comprehensive approach.
Sanitization Methods and Decision Frameworks
IEEE 2883.1-2025 categorises sanitization methods into three tiers: Clear, Purge and Destruct. Each represents a different balance between data irrecoverability, device reusability and operational overhead. The webinar addresses how organisations should select between these methods based on data classification, regulatory requirements and the intended next use of the storage media.
A particular focus is placed on the limitations of “verified” sanitization. While verification provides evidence that a sanitization process completed successfully, the session explores what verification can and cannot guarantee, helping attendees develop realistic expectations for their compliance documentation and audit evidence.
Automation and Centralised Erasure Management
For organisations managing storage at scale, manual sanitization processes create operational bottlenecks and introduce human error risks. The webinar covers approaches to automating and centralising data erasure workflows, enabling consistent policy enforcement across distributed infrastructure while generating the audit trails that compliance programmes require.
Who Should Attend
The session is designed for professionals with responsibility for data security policy, compliance or device lifecycle management in medium to large enterprises. This includes Chief Information Security Officers, Information Security Officers, Data Protection Officers, IT Asset Management leaders, and infrastructure and data centre managers. The content assumes familiarity with enterprise storage environments and regulatory compliance requirements.
Regulatory and Compliance Context
The publication of IEEE 2883.1-2025 provides organisations with an updated reference framework at a time when data protection regulations continue to expand globally. While the standard itself is a recommended practice rather than a mandatory requirement, it offers a defensible baseline for organisations seeking to demonstrate due diligence in their data handling procedures. For those subject to sector-specific regulations or contractual data protection obligations, alignment with recognised standards strengthens audit responses and reduces compliance risk.