[Cryptography] Magnetic media destruction question

[Darren Moffat]

>    - Every new disk entering the data center is given a unique    identifier, visible on the outside.
>    - The life history of every disk in the data center is tracked - where    it goes, what it's used for, and ultimately when it dies.
>    - No disk that ever entered the data center as a functioning device    ever leaves except as destroyed material.

I like that system and I can see how it works well for Google and similar modern cloud provider datacentre environments. 
Going down to the level of drive labelling for the more traditional enterprise datacentre would usually involve pulling and labelling devices from NAS/SAN systems and servers. That would require a lot of discipline and has potential impact with the support of those in some cases but a good idea.

Though for tape that physical cataloging is/was often the norm already - especially when using StoragTek not similar libraries with barcoding.

Darren