Lots of time and attention is paid to storing, managing and securing data. But what happens when you need to wipe that data completely?

Blancco Technology Group is betting that concerns about cybersecurity and the proliferation of data privacy regulations means the time is right for erasure as a service, which enables IT services providers to offer permanent removal of data from all IT assets.

After initially selling the solutions direct to customers, Blancco today announced it has changed its go-to-market strategy and introduced a new partner program.

“Traditionally, our business model has consisted of direct sales to enterprises, government agencies, IT asset disposition vendors and mobile service providers,” Alan Bentley, president of global sales for Blancco, said in a statement.

“However, as new data protection regulations are introduced and a growing number of data breaches emerge daily, the demand for data erasure as a service will inevitably increase among IT service providers, whose business success relies on their ability to provide customers with the most innovative, efficient and secure solutions,” the statement went on. “These trends formed the impetus for our indirect sales strategy and the development of this new offering and partner program.”

Blancco offers Blancco Data Eraser software solutions, which can be integrated into IT service providers’ offerings.

Prior to announcing the partner program, Blancco signed up 14 global and regional companies, including very large service providers like Fujitsu and Techchef.

“From the first day that our customers plug in a new piece of IT hardware, the countdown begins to the day when that asset will reach its end of life, or the data contained on the asset will need to be removed upon the request of customers or in accordance with regulatory requirements,” said a statement from Alex Curias, vice president and head of the Global Program Management office at Fujitsu Technology Solutions.

“Blancco Technology Group is the proven leader in data erasure with the most comprehensive solutions, has a patented method of sanitizing solid state drives (SSDs) and holds the highest number of certifications from governing bodies,” the statement continued. “By partnering with Blancco, we are able to continue Fujitsu’s long-standing commitment and promise to deliver high-quality, innovative services to our customers with the added benefits of reduced risks, reduced costs, increased visibility and increased compliance.”

Techchef, which specializes in data recovery and sanitation across India, has also signed up to offer Blancco’s erasure as a service.

“We are wholly committed to ensuring the success of our data sanitization services through three key factors: the ability to maximize the resale value of IT assets, the ability to properly erase data and finally, proof that data has been properly destroyed for auditing and compliance requirements,” Rakesh Kumar, managing director at Techchef, said in a statement. “With Blancco, our customers will be able to prevent unnecessary data loss, minimize their exposure to risks and ensure regulatory compliance, while also increasing operational efficiencies and cost savings.”

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