PROPERTY & EVIDENCE
It is no secret that the electronic devices in your property and evidence room contain private and sensitive data. If these items end up in the wrong hands it could put the original owner or their loved ones in danger. It can also bring potential liability upon the law enforcement agency that oversees these items. It is imperative that the Property & Evidence Department dispose of these items in a secure manner that protects the owner’s privacy as well as the reputation of the agency. Ensuring that these electronic devices are purged in a secure manner is an area that can sometimes be overlooked.
Since 2004, the 911 Cell Phone Bank has been working with law enforcement agencies throughout the country to provide guaranteed secure disposal of electronic devices from their property-and-evidence rooms. The service is 100% free including shipping costs. Every erasure is tested, certified, and approved. To date, over 200,000 phones have been repurposed and used as emergency devices to help vulnerable persons contact 911 in an emergency.
PROPERTY & EVIDENCE
It is no secret that the electronic devices in your property and evidence room contain private and sensitive data. If these items end up in the wrong hands it could put the original owner or their loved ones in danger. It can also bring potential liability upon the law enforcement agency that oversees these items. It is imperative that the Property & Evidence Department dispose of these items in a secure manner that protects the owner’s privacy as well as the reputation of the agency. Ensuring that these electronic devices are purged in a secure manner is an area that can sometimes be overlooked.
Since 2004, the 911 Cell Phone Bank has been working with law enforcement agencies throughout the country to provide guaranteed secure disposal of electronic devices from their property-and-evidence rooms. The service is 100% free including shipping costs. Every erasure is tested, certified, and approved. To date, over 200,000 phones have been repurposed and used as emergency devices to help vulnerable persons contact 911 in an emergency.
TESTIMONIALS
“911CPB offers P&E units a responsible alternative of disposal that repurposes dispositioned cell phones to vulnerable persons. Phones are forensically wiped before distribution, and if unfit for use, they are destroyed as e-waste, so it meets all of our obligations. It’s no cost to our agency, shipping is free, and it continues our service mission to the public. It’s a no-brainer!”
“We have donated to the 911 Cellphone Bank for a year now. The customer relationship team is always available and pleasant to work with. This has streamlined my disposal process for electronics: Once a box is filled, they are mailed to the 911 Cellphone Bank with the free label. Returned release paperwork is always returned promptly. With so many items destroyed out of the property room it is pleasant to know that some things are used to help those in need in our communities.”
“The LVMPD Evidence Vault recognizes donations to the 911 Cell Phone Bank as a win-win situation. When phones are ready for disposal, they contact the Victim Services unit to pick up the boxes to send to the 911 Cell Phone Bank. They trust the process of ensuring that the phones are securely and properly disposed. They also know that this benefits the victim in our community through the relationship with the 911 Cell Phone Bank. Their knowing that phones are properly disposed and that they are then “turned into” resources for victims of crime are invaluable.”
TESTIMONIALS
“911CPB offers P&E units a responsible alternative of disposal that repurposes dispositioned cell phones to vulnerable persons. Phones are forensically wiped before distribution, and if unfit for use, they are destroyed as e-waste, so it meets all of our obligations. It’s no cost to our agency, shipping is free, and it continues our service mission to the public. It’s a no-brainer!”
“We have donated to the 911 Cellphone Bank for a year now. The customer relationship team is always available and pleasant to work with. This has streamlined my disposal process for electronics: Once a box is filled, they are mailed to the 911 Cellphone Bank with the free label. Returned release paperwork is always returned promptly. With so many items destroyed out of the property room it is pleasant to know that some things are used to help those in need in our communities.”
“The LVMPD Evidence Vault recognizes donations to the 911 Cell Phone Bank as a win-win situation. When phones are ready for disposal, they contact the Victim Services unit to pick up the boxes to send to the 911 Cell Phone Bank. They trust the process of ensuring that the phones are securely and properly disposed. They also know that this benefits the victim in our community through the relationship with the 911 Cell Phone Bank. Their knowing that phones are properly disposed and that they are then “turned into” resources for victims of crime are invaluable.”
WHAT DOES SECURE DISPOSAL ENTAIL?
WHAT DOES SECURE DISPOSAL ENTAIL?
Erasing devices is not simply a matter of performing a factory reset. The factory reset process does not always erase the data.
There are two basic components to a secure electronics disposal program:
1. First, all data must be permanently erased from working devices.
2. Second, any device that cannot be erased must be recycled in a manner that protects the data from being recovered at a future time.
Selling devices through auction: Many agencies are surprised to learn that auction sites often do not GUARANTEE the complete erasure of data. Read all terms and conditions carefully. It is common for auctions to use terms like “Certified Data Erasure” or “Secure Data Destruction”, but they employ processes that DO NOT ensure complete data erasure. Some even say so in their user agreement – terminology such as: “we assume no liability” or “we do not guarantee we will erase all data on devices”.
The 911CPB purchased 10 smartphones from a popular online auction site that sells items on behalf of law enforcement and public agency clients to see if there was any data left behind. Many of the smartphones listed on this auction site are sold in “as-is” condition. Devices are listed as “untested due to the fact it does not power on, does not take charge, sold as-is, for parts, may be account or carrier locked”. Remember, untested essentially means uncleared. Note what was found on these 10 devices:
• Two devices were simple feature phones with no user locks. All data on the devices were available.
• Two iPhones were iCloud locked. Data was encrypted and they were unable to recover any data.
• One Android smartphone was unable to be repaired and they were unable to recover any data.
• Three Android smartphones were repaired. These devices had no user lock. Photos, videos, text messages, and contacts were easily recovered.
• Two Android smartphones were repaired. They had user locks, however, after a factory reset, photos (including pornography), videos, text messages, and contacts were easily recovered.
Smashing devices: Some agencies choose to purge the devices in their possession by smashing them. This is not effective, nor is it secure. Secure data-erasure recycling facilities have helped law enforcement recover data from destroyed devices on multiple occasions. The device itself may be destroyed, but the data contained in it is still very much alive.
Environmental standards: Not all devices can be adequately erased. Some will not power on, are damaged, or are obsolete. These devices must be recycled by a certified R2 recycler. An R2 recycler strictly follows both environmental and security standards for the electronic recycling industry.
SECURE ERASURE
To ensure that data on devices is not recoverable, each device must be erased in compliance with minimum industry standards. Using a disposal company that utilizes a third-party, licensed erasure software can ensure that devices are erased to current industry standards. Additionally, third-party verification ensures the integrity of your erasure process.
Below is a list of the minimum standard by device type.
iOS – Cryptographic Erase
Android – Character Overwrite NIST SP 800
Flash Memory – Character Overwrite DoD 5220
Hard Drives – Character Overwrite DoD 5220
SECURE ERASURE
To ensure that data on devices is not recoverable, each device must be erased in compliance with minimum industry standards. Using a disposal company that utilizes a third-party, licensed erasure software can ensure that devices are erased to current industry standards. Additionally, third-party verification ensures the integrity of your erasure process.
Below is a list of the minimum standard by device type.
iOS – Cryptographic Erase
Android – Character Overwrite NIST SP 800
Flash Memory – Character Overwrite DoD 5220
Hard Drives – Character Overwrite DoD 5220
