At 06:29 PM 5/23/2001 -0500, you wrote:
>Surely this list has discussed destroying paper with sensitive writing on
>it. What is the conclusion as to the recommended method? Assume that the
>writing is with pencil, pen, typed, or printer output. Assume that owner of
>these secret documents does not have the budget to use an incinerator.
Perhaps you should be more detailed, e.g. -
What are the capabilities of the securing party? (e.g., competence, diligence)
What is the budget of the securing party?
What is the volume of material to be destroyed?
What is the cost of failure?
What is the cost to recover after destruction?
Who are the likely attackers?
and, for each attacker -
What are their capabilities?
What is their budget?
What is the value of the information to them? Total recovery?
Partial?
How likely are they to attack?
How quickly are they likely to attack?
How long will an attack last?
Will you have warning prior to an attack?
If the writing is typed or printer output, don't forget that it may be
necessary to also wipe the equipment's imaging surface(s), including
typewriter cartridges and printer memory or drum(s).
>I've seen cheap, at-a-moment's-notice methods such as, ripping a
>post-it-note with password into several pieces and discarding into various
>trash recepticals, or even flushing down toilets. I would rule out simple
>fireplace burning because it seem that you can even read some print on a
>newspaper, given that it has not been crushed to ash.
If I remember correctly from Bamford's _Body of Secrets_, sensitive paper
documents at NSA are pulped and the pulp is then recycled into cardboard.
Stephenson's _Cryptonomicon_ discusses the use of cigarette rolling papers
for small notes because it burns easily and reliably.
--
Greg Broiles
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Organized crime is the price we pay for organization." -- Raymond Chandler
