SSD Meets OCD

So that’s what they look like.

I was wondering. I knew what hard drives looked like, but this is the first time I’ve seen a solid state drive (or SSD) up close. They’re very compact, aren’t they? This example is hardly larger than a stick of chewing gum. But what is it doing on the arm of my chair, apart from having its photo taken?

It’s all to do with security. My laptop gave up the electronic ghost on Christmas Eve. Its replacement is now up and running, after many hours of beating it into submission, armed only with a copy of “Windows 11 For Dummies”. The old one has gone to the Small Electricals skip at the local Recycling Centre - except for this SSD.

Well, I don’t want to risk all the information stored on it falling into the wrong hands. I’m sure it would be of great interest to the CIA, MI7, or various shadowy figures from the world of High Finance or The Arts. And some of our local binmen look suspiciously like members of the Russian Mafia…

Simply erasing/overwriting data does not necessarily place it beyond the reach of technical experts, I’m told, even though SSD’s are more challenging in this respect than hard drives. So, I’m about to take this SSD out into my backyard for processing.

Here we go - 

- and there we are: thoroughly processed! Now all that remains is to scatter these fragments in secret locations across the wild and windswept moorland above my home.

As you can tell, I’m quite concerned about security. Perhaps it runs in the family, along with a measure of OCD. Years ago, my sister (who used to be a bank manager) was lecturing me on the importance of not putting financial documents into the waste paper bin. I pointed to the large shredder in the corner of the kitchen. “It all goes in there before it gets to the bin.”

Undeterred, she went on to warn me of the dangers of internet banking and identity theft - and then, after a sideways glance at me, she added: “But, then again, who’d want to be you?” Ouch! Back in the knife drawer, Miss Sharp!

Nevertheless, I agreed with her general point, that most people are careless when it comes to security - of all kinds. It seems only sensible to me to take good care of your family, your property (if such you have) and whatever possessions you might need to make your way through this world. (See Proverbs for a wealth of advice.)

However, since it is such a fractious, fragile, and fallen world, our earthly security is always at risk, and is bound to be broken in upon in the fulness of time. The writer of Proverbs advises us thus: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” (Pr.27.1.)

And yet, for the born-again believer in Christ Jesus, whatever trials and tribulations may come to us in this life, this promise remains: “All that the Father gives to me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (Jn.6.37.)

And that, in the words of Dr E. A. Johnston, “is a pure gospel promise: you can take it home, you can take it to the bank.” In fact, it’s the only security that will never, ever be compromised. Friendships may founder, health may fade, finances may fail, but even when we fall into sin for a season, we nevertheless “have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1Jn.2.1.)

And that greatest of all advocates promises this to His redeemed: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” (Jn.10.28-29.)

And now, time to don my camo tacticals, slip silently and unseen from the back door, and head for those high and windswept hills…