Problem
A contractor uses the same external hard drive for several clients, creating a cross-client data-exposure risk if the drive is lost or reused without secure deletion.
Solution
Root Cause / Diagnostic:
Commingling multiple client projects onto a single non-partitioned storage device creates severe data contamination and accidental leakage risks. If the drive is connected during an unauthorized session or handed off to another client, confidential media is exposed.
Actionable Fix:
1. Require separate encrypted storage partitions or dedicated client-specific external SSDs for each commercial engagement.
2. Mandate hardware-level AES-256 bit encryption (e.g., BitLocker or APFS Encrypted) on all physical drives used for client productions.
3. Perform cryptographic wipe or DoD 5220.22-M wipe procedures on any physical drive before reallocating it to a new client project.
Pro Tip:
Require contractors to maintain separate APFS Encrypted or BitLocker volumes for each client, preventing directory browsing overlap and facilitating clean single-partition wipes.
Commingling multiple client projects onto a single non-partitioned storage device creates severe data contamination and accidental leakage risks. If the drive is connected during an unauthorized session or handed off to another client, confidential media is exposed.
Actionable Fix:
1. Require separate encrypted storage partitions or dedicated client-specific external SSDs for each commercial engagement.
2. Mandate hardware-level AES-256 bit encryption (e.g., BitLocker or APFS Encrypted) on all physical drives used for client productions.
3. Perform cryptographic wipe or DoD 5220.22-M wipe procedures on any physical drive before reallocating it to a new client project.
Pro Tip:
Require contractors to maintain separate APFS Encrypted or BitLocker volumes for each client, preventing directory browsing overlap and facilitating clean single-partition wipes.