164.310(c) Physical Safeguards

Device and Media Controls

High Risk Moderate Medium

Implement policies and procedures to address the final disposition of ePHI, and/or the hardware or electronic media on which it is stored.

Implementation Guidance

Develop comprehensive device and media control policies including:
• Device and media disposal procedures
• Data sanitization and destruction procedures
• Hardware disposal and recycling procedures
• Media destruction and disposal procedures
• Documentation and certification of disposal
• Regular review and update of disposal procedures

Key components:
- Device disposal procedures
- Media destruction procedures
- Data sanitization methods
- Disposal documentation
- Disposal certification
- Regular procedure review

Required Documentation

• Device and media disposal policies
• Data sanitization and destruction procedures
• Hardware disposal and recycling procedures
• Media destruction and disposal procedures
• Disposal documentation and certification
• Disposal vendor agreements
• Regular review and update procedures

Best Practices

• Develop comprehensive disposal policies
• Use proper data sanitization methods
• Implement secure hardware disposal
• Use certified media destruction
• Document all disposal activities
• Obtain disposal certifications
• Regular review and update of procedures

Common Violations

• Lack of device and media disposal policies
• Inadequate data sanitization procedures
• Insufficient hardware disposal procedures
• Poor media destruction procedures
• Inadequate disposal documentation
• Insufficient disposal certification

Testing Procedures

• Review disposal policies and procedures
• Test data sanitization methods
• Verify hardware disposal procedures
• Test media destruction procedures
• Review disposal documentation
• Verify disposal certifications
• Review policy compliance

Implementation Resources

Download expert-developed templates and checklists to implement this control:

Quick Facts

Control ID 164.310(c)
Category Physical Safeguards
Risk Level High
Difficulty Moderate
Est. Cost Medium
Timeframe 2-4 months
Last Updated Mar 1, 2026

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