Kroll Ontrack launches self-assessment tool to provide first line advice for victims of data loss

Kroll Ontrack, the leading provider of data recovery and ediscovery, launches its unique self-assessment tool to help individuals carry out an initial check on their device and receive first line advice on what to do next. Scenarios cover damage caused by fire, liquid, physical knocks and malware/virus infection. Following this initial assessment, users can choose whether or not to go ahead with Kroll Ontrack’s data recovery service.

Analysis of the anonymous data collected from the new self-assessment tool reveals the key issues that cause data loss on consumers’ technology. Initial findings from the new web app highlights that one in six (16 per cent) devices suffering data loss is due to the storage drive appearing to be unrecognisable or undetected1. More than one in ten (11 per cent) experience data loss from corrupted files and the same percentage lose data when they drop their devices.

More than four in five (82 per cent) data loss scenarios occur with hard disk drives (HDDs) and only one in ten (10 per cent) occur with solid state drives (SSDs). While this has much to do with HDDs being more prevalent, it is worth noting that SSDs are more robust when they are dropped onto a hard surface – the second most common cause of data loss.

Kroll Ontrack warns those who face any type of data loss situation, whether it is through drops or accidental deletions, to take a step back and consider the options and information available to them before acting.

Paul Le Messurier, Programme and Operations Manager at Kroll Ontrack said: “Storage hardware on laptops and tablets can be delicate, especially when tinkered with by an amateur. Any attempts to retrieve data from a faulty device could lead to further data loss and warranty voidance.

“Our new self-assessment tool allows users to quickly, easily and without cost, understand what they can do next if they fall victim to a faulty device. Equally as important and often more so it allows them to see what they should not do, potentially saving a device from complete ruin.

“Users should do their research and seek advice before even thinking about repairing a device. If they don’t feel confident, users should get help from an expert.”
The analysis from Kroll Ontrack also highlighted that three in five (59 per cent) devices that have suffered data loss are either laptops and desktops and almost a quarter (23 per cent) of data loss situations occur with users of flash and external drives. In the case of laptops this is not surprising as with the advantage of their mobility comes the risk of dropped or knocked hardware.