Blancco 2025 State of Data Sanitization Report

36% of enterprises said data breaches due to weak and stolen credentials was one of the most common ways to lose data.

A quarter (25%) of enterprises report that AI has increased the amount of redundant data they hold.

Only 37% of enterprises were aware of NIST 800-88.

41% of enterprises said stolen devices or drives with sensitive data was one of the most common ways to lose data.

Just over a fifth (slightly over 20%) of enterprises said that AI is making compliance more difficult.

In the last three years, 86% of enterprises have experienced a data breach.

32% of enterprises said ransomware was one of the most common ways to lose data.

More than half (over 50%) of enterprises are increasing their investment in compliance.

55% of enterprises have policies in place regarding data disposition.

42% of enterprises without policies regarding data disposition are rolling out or defining them.

The average increase in compliance investment among businesses is 46%.

Enterprises upgrading endpoint devices for AI are upgrading an average of 25% of those devices.

In the last three years, 73% of enterprises experienced a data leak.

For 17% of enterprises who experienced a breach or leak, data compromise was caused by redeployed devices or drives that still had sensitive data.

54% of enterprises said phishing-related data breaches was one of the most common ways to lose data.

Only 36% of enterprises were aware of IEEE 2883-2022

More than 50% of enterprises are using AI to help clearly define data retention and sanitization.

Up to 47% of functional devices and drives destroyed for data security reasons are still functional.

25% of laptops and desktops destroyed for data security are still functional.

25% of laptops and desktops are refurbished without certified erasure.

19% of data center assets are refurbished without certified erasure.

90% of enterprises said that sustainability has at least a moderate impact on data disposal.

83% of enterprises have deployed some form of AI.

19% of data center assets destroyed for data security are still functional.

77% of enterprises agree that IT and sustainability teams are working closely on data management and data erasure tools to meet sustainability goals.

46% of enterprises said improper network configuration was one of the most common ways to lose data.

Of enterprises that have deployed AI, 98% have upgraded endpoint devices.

97% of enterprises who have deployed AI have also upgraded data center assets.