Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method is presented of erasing, in a document data processing device, a stored information pattern on a rewritable data carrier that is accessible by a data processing facility of said device, the document data processing device having primary processes for processing document data, wherein data may be stored on the data carrier, and secondary processes for erasing stored data, through overwriting a selected storage area of the carrier by a shredding pattern. According to the method, the primary and secondary processes are run asynchronously, i.e. the secondary processes are run in background, in order not to hinder the primary processes, and the progress of the erasing process is dynamically displayed for the operator to give an indication of an internal data security situation.

Abstract: A method is presented of erasing, in a document data processing device, a stored information pattern on a rewritable data carrier that is accessible by a data processing facility of the document data processing device. The document data processing device includes primary processes for processing document data, wherein data may be stored on the data carrier, and secondary processes for erasing stored data, through overwriting a selected storage area of the carrier by a shredding pattern. According to the method, the primary and secondary processes are run asynchronously, e.g., the secondary processes are run in background, in order not to hinder the primary processes. In a particular embodiment, an initial shredding run is made directly after a file is no longer used, and additional shredding runs are made in background.