AM-07 Decommissioning of Hardware
Changed since C5:2020 · formerly AM-04
Basic criterion
Specified which data types the criterion applies to.
Slight linguistic adaptations, and restructured options for decommissioning as a list.
Further specified application of the criterion to account data.
Additional criterion
Additional criterion newly included.
Wording in C5:2020
Basic criterion
The decommissioning of hardware used to operate system components supporting the cloud service production environment under the responsibility of the Cloud Service Provider requires approval based on the applicable policies.
The decommissioning includes the complete and permanent deletion of the data or proper destruction of the media.
Supplementary information on all sub-criteria
This criterion is not applicable for hardware components that do not store cloud service customer data, cloud service derived data, cloud service provider data or account data (e.g. monitors, routers or keyboards).
Basic criterion
The cloud service provider defines, documents and implements a procedure for the decommissioning of hardware used to operate system components supporting the cloud service production environment under the responsibility of the cloud service provider. As part of this procedure, approval by authorised personnel of the cloud service provider based on the applicable policies is required.
Supplementary information
The decommissioning procedure typically includes:
- Verification that the asset is no longer required for operational use;
- Assessment of associated risks and dependencies;
- Approval by authorised personnel based on internal policies;
- Execution of secure data deletion or sanitization processes;
- Updating the asset inventory to reflect decommissioning status; and
- Disposal or repurposing of the hardware in accordance with environmental and security guidelines.
The decommissioning includes either:
- The complete and permanent deletion of all cloud service customer data, cloud service derived data, cloud service provider data and account data; or
- The proper destruction of the media.
Account data needs to be deleted at least in cases where the data is located in the production environment for the operation of system components.
Supplementary information
Also applies to 01AC
The deletion of data or physical destruction of data mediums can take place, for example, according to DIN 66399 or BSI IT-Grundschutz module CON.6.
Additional criterion
AM-07.01AS
Additional, sharpens01BThe cloud service provider defines, documents and implements a procedure for the decommissioning of hardware used to operate system components supporting the cloud service production, development, test or staging environment under the responsibility of the cloud service provider. As part of this procedure, approval by authorised personnel of the cloud service provider based on the applicable policies is required.
AM-07.01AC
Additional, complementingThe destruction of data on hardware components is carried out in such a manner that data recovery can be reasonably considered to be impossible.
Supplementary information
Also applies to 02B
The deletion of data or physical destruction of data mediums can take place, for example, according to DIN 66399 or BSI IT-Grundschutz module CON.6.
Supplementary information
This approval process ensures that disposal activities conducted offsite adhere to the organisation's security, compliance, and environmental policies. It typically includes:
- Verification of asset ownership and usage history;
- Assessment of data sanitisation requirements;
- Selection of approved disposal vendors or methods;
- Documentation of disposal actions and approvals; and
- Confirmation of secure data deletion or destruction.
BSI text from C5:2026 and its changelog: © Federal Office for Information Security 2026, reproduced unchanged under CC BY-ND 4.0. Unofficial site, not affiliated with BSI. Licence and sources