Define scope before deleting
| Data set | Clock starts from | Policy reference | Copies to inspect | Exception owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closed support tickets | Confirmed closure date | Organisation-approved ticket policy | Application, export and search index | Support data owner |
| Application logs | Recorded event time | Approved logging policy | Collector, archive and copied diagnostics | Security/operations owner |
| Backup snapshots | Snapshot creation time | Approved backup policy | Backup storage and restored test copies | Recovery owner |
This sheet deliberately supplies no legal retention period. The data owner must provide an approved rule and any hold requirement for the actual records. Keep data minimisation separate from destruction: excluding unnecessary sensitive data from a log is different from deleting an existing record.
Preview candidates and verify the result
- Select by approved rule
- Exclude active holds
- Review candidate scope
- Delete using controlled procedure
- Verify live copies and backup treatment
A restored backup must reapply the recorded deletion policy before its data returns to normal use.
Live tickets were deleted but yesterday’s export still contains them. Is the workflow complete?
Show the worked answer
No. Check whether that export falls within the approved scope, identify its controlled location and apply its disposition rule. Record unavoidable backup handling separately rather than claiming every copy disappeared immediately.