When it comes to R2v3, sanitisation is no longer a polite suggestion. It is a core operational expectation, tightly defined, rigorously audited, and a decisive factor in whether an ITAD facility keeps its certification. While the industry has clear, well-established practices for storage media, networking equipment has historically slipped through the cracks — under-documented, under-standardised, and far too often “cleared” using methods that fall short of R2v3’s requirements.
Hydra was engineered to close that gap.
The Challenge: R2v3 and Networking Equipment
R2v3 Appendix B sets a high bar for logical sanitisation, requiring processors to demonstrate repeatable, verifiable, and standards-aligned processes for all data-bearing devices — including network devices, which are explicitly in scope due to configuration data, credentials, routing tables, user information, IP assignments, and stored logs.
Historically, factories resets and “delete config” commands have been treated as sufficient. But SERI’s own training material is very clear:
- Factory resets do not constitute sanitisation
- Logical sanitisation must ensure data cannot be reconstructed
- Processes must be documented, validated, and repeatable
That’s where Hydra changes the game.
How Hydra Aligns with R2v3 Requirements
Hydra’s workflow has been designed to map cleanly to the requirements in R2v3, NIST SP 800-88r2, IEEE 2883, and NAID AAA. But for R2v3 specifically, three areas stand out:
1. Repeatable, auditable, standards-aligned sanitisation
Hydra performs a full logical sanitisation of networking devices using methods directly aligned with NIST SP 800-88r2 and IEEE 2883. This gives ITADs a defensible position during audits, demonstrating adherence to recognised sanitisation standards rather than relying on vendor-defined behaviour.
Its workflow ensures:
- Identification of the device
- Authentication break-in where required
- Full overwrite of configuration-bearing storage
- Verification and logging
- Automated generation of tamper-proof certificates
This directly supports R2v3’s requirement for documented, consistent sanitisation processes.
2. Evidence, documentation, and chain-of-custody
R2v3 auditors increasingly expect clear, reliable proof that sanitisation took place — not just a checklist. Hydra generates immutable certificates tied to the device’s serial number and stores the results within the Hydra Portal for audit readiness.
This supports:
- Appendix B record-keeping
- Section 7 audit traceability
- Demonstrating controls without manual paperwork or vulnerable spreadsheets
Auditors want transparency, and Hydra makes that effortless.
3. De-skilling and reducing human error
R2v3 hinges on process reliability. Manual CLI commands, vendor-specific menus, inconsistent toolsets — they all increase the risk of deviation, one of the biggest red flags during an R2 audit.
Hydra compresses the entire process into:
- Plug in device
- Hit “Start”
- Receive certificate
With hands-on time of under two minutes, Hydra eliminates variability and prevents the “operator error” that often undermines compliance.
Hydra Addresses the Gap the Industry Has Ignored
Most ITADs have strong processes for drives, servers, and mobile devices. Networking hardware, however, is still treated as an awkward outlier. But routers, switches, firewalls, and access points routinely store:
- Admin usernames and hashed passwords
- IP addressing and VLAN maps
- VPN, routing, and ACL configurations
- SSIDs, PSKs, and session data
Under R2v3, this all counts as data.
And without a formal, standards-aligned sanitisation process, an ITAD risks nonconformance.
Hydra gives the industry what it has been missing:
A dedicated, certified, auditable networking sanitisation platform that closes the compliance gap.
Built for R2 Facilities That Take Compliance Seriously
Hydra wasn’t built to replace what ITADs already do well — it was built to strengthen what they struggle with. And networking devices have long been the weak link in audit trails.
By aligning with R2v3 Appendix B, NIST SP 800-88r2, IEEE 2883, NAID AAA, and ADISA standards, Hydra gives R2v3 facilities peace of mind that their networking sanitisation processes are defensible, repeatable, and future-proof.
Book an Online Demo
If you’re preparing for an R2 audit, tightening your sanitisation workflow, or simply want to see how Hydra can support your compliance objectives, you can book a live demo here:
👉 Book Here Now
We’ll walk you through the process, show real-world test cases, and discuss how Hydra fits your operational environment.
