As technology evolves, many businesses have moved to digital storage solutions. Yet thousands of organisations across the UK still hold legacy archives on magnetic data tapes. Whether for compliance, backup, or historical record-keeping, these tapes contain sensitive information that must be securely handled—especially at the end of their lifecycle.

Despite being older technology, data tape destruction remains a critical component of any robust data protection and compliance strategy in 2025. In fact, with increasing scrutiny from regulators and growing cyber threats, secure destruction is more important than ever.

Why Are Data Tapes Still Used?

Magnetic data tapes, such as LTO, DLT, and DDS formats, offer:

• Long-term data retention capabilities
• High storage density at low cost
• Durability for archival backups

Industries like healthcare, government, and finance often maintain decades-old data on tape due to regulatory and operational requirements. However, when these tapes reach their end of life, they must be destroyed securely to prevent data breaches.

The Risks of Insecure Tape Disposal

Disposing of data tapes improperly can lead to:

• Data breaches from recovered sensitive information
• GDPR violations and legal penalties
• Loss of trust with clients, regulators, and the public

Unlike hard drives, magnetic tapes do not offer built-in sanitisation tools, making secure physical destruction the only way to ensure data is unrecoverable.

GDPR and Data Tape Destruction

Under the UK GDPR, all forms of personal data—regardless of storage medium—must be protected and disposed of securely. Article 5 of the regulation emphasises the need for appropriate security, including protection against unauthorised access, accidental loss, or destruction.

This makes data tape destruction not just a best practice, but a legal obligation.

Secure Data Tape Destruction Methods

1. Degaussing

A high-powered magnetic field erases all data stored on magnetic tapes by disrupting the magnetic domains that encode information.

• Ideal for bulk tape erasure
• Compliant with government and defence data destruction standards
• Instant and irreversible

Explore Varese Secure’s degaussing services for compliant and certified destruction.

2. Physical Shredding or Crushing

Once degaussed, tapes can be physically shredded or crushed to ensure no physical remnants of data can be retrieved.

• Provides visual confirmation of destruction
• Suitable for high-security applications
• Often combined with degaussing for added assurance

Why It’s Still Critical in 2025

Despite the rise of cloud storage and modern data solutions, many organisations still rely on older archives for compliance or legacy operations. These tapes can hold:

• Personal customer data
• Financial records
• Medical and legal documentation
• Proprietary or classified information

Without secure destruction, even a single data tape could pose a major security risk. Furthermore, many breaches now originate from overlooked or forgotten storage devices, including old tapes, making proactive disposal essential.

How Varese Secure Can Help

At Varese Secure, we specialise in safe and compliant data tape destruction. Our services are:

• Fully GDPR and ISO 27001 compliant
• Available on-site or off-site with full audit trail
• Backed by Certificates of Destruction and chain-of-custody documentation

Need to dispose of legacy data tapes securely?
📞 Call us at +44 (0)1489 854 131
📧 Email: sales@varese-secure.co.uk
Or visit our Degaussing Services page to learn more.

Data Tape Destruction FAQs

Q1: Are magnetic data tapes still covered under GDPR?
A1: Yes. Any medium storing personal data must be protected and securely destroyed under GDPR, including magnetic tapes, regardless of age or storage format.

Q2: Can data on tapes be deleted like on a hard drive?
A2: No. Tapes lack built-in sanitisation tools. Secure erasure requires degaussing or physical destruction, which ensures data is completely and irreversibly removed.

Q3: How do I prove data tape destruction for audits?
A3: Use certified services that provide documentation, including Certificates of Destruction, serial number logs, and full chain-of-custody tracking for regulatory compliance.