A method for erasing stored data from the memory of the network device and requesting data from the memory after completion of the data erasure procedure or accessing the memory of the network device after completion of the data erasure procedure. The method further comprises determining the outcome of the data erasure procedure based on: the results of a comparison between a response received from the network device in reply to the request for data and an expected response which is indicative of a successful erasure of the memory of the network device; or the results of a comparison between any contents of the memory of the network device after completion of the data erasure procedure and expected contents of the memory of the network device after completion of the data erasure procedure which are indicative of a successful erasure of the memory of the network device.