Destroying data carriers

Data carriers that are no longer needed, such as CDs, DVDs, USB sticks, magnetic tapes and hard disks, should always be destroyed using professional means if they contain sensitive data or licensable software.

If you format the data carrier or destroy it yourself, it is often possible to restore data.

Thus we recommend that you destroy such data carriers through us in accordance with data protection laws.

Data carriers with sensitive data

Returning data carriers

The data carriers can be submitted to the IT Service Desk by appointment. They are collected in a locked container and regularly shredded in a truck on campus and disposed of by a certified company.

Submission will be documented and you will receive a copy of the records.

Costs

At present (as of December 2020) there are no costs for the university's facilities. To document the quantity to be destroyed, the data carriers to be destroyed are weighed before being placed in the special container.

Other old, defective or unneeded CDs/DVDs

For CDs/DVDs that do not need to be destroyed (e.g. OEM software, driver CDs, etc.), there is a permanent box at the IT Service Desk where you can hand in CDs/DVDs free of charge. They will be recycled.