In the world of IT asset recovery, networking kit has been the awkward cousin — fiddly to wipe, easy to overlook, and too often “sanitised” using methods that don’t actually sanitise anything. Many organisations still rely on deleting config files or pressing factory reset and calling the device “clean”.
Let’s be honest: that approach is the networking equivalent of dragging a file to the recycle bin on a hard drive and calling it secure. We all know better.
This is exactly why Novafox built Hydra — a fully automated data erasure device designed specifically for networking hardware. It removes the manual labour, eliminates the technical guesswork, and finally gives ITADs, brokers, and lifecycle providers a consistent, repeatable, compliant way to sanitise networking devices.
And yes — it really is as easy as plugging in three cables and pressing Go.
Why Factory Reset Doesn’t Remove Data
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: factory reset does not erase data from networking equipment.
It resets settings, sure. But the data beneath those settings — the sensitive, operational, sometimes mission-critical material — remains recoverable.
That includes things like:
- IP addresses
- VLANs and routing tables
- Credentials, certificates, and VPN configs
- Syslogs and cached data
- Internal flash/NAND partitions
- Previously stored configuration states
A factory reset only hides that data. Hydra erases it.
This distinction is crucial for compliance, security, and reputational risk. It’s also why so many organisations are now demanding certified sanitisation for networking assets — not “best efforts” or UI-level resets.
Manual Deletion Isn’t Sanitisation Either
Clearing configs through a CLI or web interface might look tidy, but it’s not secure. Those actions don’t overwrite the underlying storage components, which means the data is still retrievable with the right tools.
Hydra replaces these inconsistent, manual processes with a structured, standards-aligned sanitisation workflow. Every device, every time, processed the same way — regardless of who’s operating it.
This is how proper sanitisation should be done.
Hydra: Automated Data Erasure for Networking Devices
Hydra was purpose-built to make sanitising networking hardware simple, secure, and scalable.
Operators connect the device, tap the touchscreen, and Hydra takes over:
- Automatic device detection
- Password-breaking techniques
- Backup of OS and licensing data
- Full overwrite of all internal media
- Clean OS/licence restoration
- Firmware update if needed
- Preparation for port/loopback testing
Hands-on time? Around two minutes.
Skill level required? Almost none.
Hydra removes the bottleneck of relying on senior engineers or networking experts. The automation does the work; humans simply start the process.
How Hydra Reduces Operational Risk
Because Hydra drives the workflow end-to-end, it removes the usual problems associated with manual data erasure:
- Human error
- Inconsistent results
- “I think it’s wiped” uncertainty
- Long processing times
- Reliance on expert staff
- Hard-to-audit workflows
Instead, you get:
- Standardised sanitisation
- Faster throughput
- Lower labour costs
- Clean, audit-ready reporting
- Scalability across sites and teams
- A fully traceable trail of evidence
This level of automation doesn’t just improve efficiency — it reduces risk across your entire operation.
Why ITADs, Brokers, and Recyclers Choose Hydra
Hydra isn’t just a technical tool. It’s a commercial lever.
By offering certified sanitisation for networking devices, you can:
- Win more collection and decommissioning projects
- Increase resale values
- Differentiate from low-assurance competitors
- Provide proper compliance documentation
- Improve customer trust and transparency
- Expand your service offering without expanding headcount
Hydra turns a previously manual, inconsistent process into a clean, automated revenue-generating workflow.
The Future of Networking Data Erasure Is Automated
Sanitising networking devices shouldn’t require a senior engineer, a command line marathon, or pot luck. With Hydra, it doesn’t.
Three cables.
Press Go.
Fully sanitised, fully auditable networking equipment — delivered with absolute confidence.
If you’re ready to modernise your data erasure workflow for networking kit, Hydra is your next step.
