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The Most Important Question to Ask Before Data Recovery

When a business or person needs a data recovery service provider, it’s highly important to be sure
the facility has the proper industry certifications. Otherwise, the data missing may be at a much
higher risk of being unrecoverable or even permanently destroyed. First, let’s take a look at why
data recovery can be a dangerous feat.

The Dangers of Microscopic Particles in Data Recovery

As the platters in a hard disk drive (HDD) speed along at an average rate of 7,200 RPM, a cushion
of air is created on which the actuator arm and read/write heads float a mere three nanometers
above the fragile surface of the rotating disks. Known as “fly height”’ this microscopic distance is
essential to the functionality of the drive.

Extreme damage and permanent data loss can result if any particulate matter (even something as
thin as a human fingerprint) gets between the surface of the rotating disk and the read/write heads.
Any foreign object could be struck by one of the heads, causing damage to the mechanism and
permanent destruction of data. Therefore, the data recovery company you choose with your data
should have Certified ISO Class 5 Cleanroom, at least. Cleanrooms are often found within medical
fields, like pharmacology and epidemiology. For perspective, in an average outdoor environment,
one cubic foot of air could contain more than 35 million particles bigger than 0.5 microns in diameter
(dust, dirt, ash, smoke, etc.). Indoor air is a bit cleaner, although there could still be roughly one
million similar-sized particles in a cubic foot of atmosphere from an indoor location.

In an ISO Class 5 Cleanroom like the one at DriveSavers, less than 100 particles bigger than 0.5
microns are present per cubic foot of air, making it safe to open up and work on hard drives and
other sensitive data storage devices without fear of contamination.

The Cleanrooms at data recovery companies allow engineers to open sealed drive mechanisms in
accordance with all leading hardware and storage device manufacturers’ specifications without
voiding the original warranty. In a certified Cleanroom, drives and other sensitive equipment can be
inspected and worked on without introducing any additional risks of contamination, damage or data
loss.

Keeping the Cleanroom “clean”

Regular audits should be conducted to measure and certify the effectiveness of a Cleanroom
installation while it’s in use. Some data recovery companies with certified Cleanrooms had their
audits performed while the rooms being tested were unoccupied and not in operation. Particle
counts may differ substantially while a Cleanroom is actually in use and occupied with people.

Cleanroom engineers must wear special suits, in addition to protective head and footgear to guard
against contamination. All accessories—including writing paper and pencils, cleaning tools and
more—are designed specifically to reduce the release of any particulate matter into the
atmosphere. How do you know if the audit was performed while the Cleanroom was in use or not?

38 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – October 2015 Edition
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