Data Destruction Survey Report 2021

The digital transformation of enterprises has paved the way for a data-centric ecosystem. Globally, there is a shift in the maturity of information management models. With advancements and new developments in information and data management technologies, the data centric ecosystems across the world have experienced enforcement of several regulations. With the increase in evolving business models, standardised frameworks, and operational maturity of organisations, India is considered as one of the key providers of technology and services.

Along with the transition from traditional IT infrastructure to virtualised and remotely managed systems, organisations must understand how to protect data in the most appropriate manner towards the end of the data lifecycle. The two critical end stages are the Archive stage, which addresses retention policies and adherence with those policies, and the Dispose stage, which addresses end-of-life data sanitisation of assets or from within active environments. However, new laws and regulations are specifying what should happen once data retention dates expire. These requirements are usually based on the data's confidentiality classification. Proactively addressing the above-mentioned stages ensures that data policies continue to be enforced throughout the organisation in a manner that ensures that data is irrecoverable upon destruction.

Blancco (Software) India Private Limited (Blancco India) and Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu India LLP (DTTILLP, or Deloitte) jointly conducted the Blancco-Deloitte Data Destruction Survey 2020 from December 2019 through January 2020. This included identifying the level of awareness and maturity of organisations regarding data sanitisation and retention requirements, which is established by relevant regulations and guidelines and how they are currently addressing the issue. The survey results constitute the inputs of 60 respondents from various sectors.
This report provides an overview of the current data retention and disposal practices in Indian organisations.