VIZION Shred Size Validation
ADISA’s proprietary method for imaging and analysing shred output to verify compliance with ISO/IEC 21964 Part 2
What is Shredding of Storage Media?
When it comes to physically destroying storage media, shredding is one of the most commonly used methods. The appeal of this process lies in the speed at which storage media is rendered unusable, despite the higher throughput. The result is particles of varying sizes, against which only high-end, laboratory-based data recovery techniques can attempt to recover data.
The techniques that could be applied to shredded material typically include:
- Decapsulation of shredded NAND cells.
- Chip readers for intact NAND cells after shredding.
- Platter-level recovery using Magnetic Force Microscopy.
Shredding Specifications
There are many shredding specifications that confirm particle sizes, including NPSA, R2v3, and several aligned with the German DIN Standards (ISO 21964 and EN 15713). Verification of compliance with these standards varies in terms of attention to detail, with some being confirmed by a basic visual inspection and others using simple measurements with callipers or even rulers.
Introducing Vizion
ADISA has created Vizion to advance shred size verification from casual practice to a more scientific approach.
Vizion combines high-resolution imagery using a light box and camera with an analysis process using proprietary software. This software measures the two longest dimensions of the particle size and computes the surface area. Even for irregular shapes, the software can accurately identify the particle area, ensuring that a shredding activity meets the specifications outlined in Part 2 of ISO 21964.