destroy-sanitization · shipping · also Destroy sanitization method

Destroy sanitization

Destroy sanitization makes target-data recovery infeasible even with current state-of-the-art laboratory techniques and leaves the medium incapable of storing data again.

NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 section 3.1.3 requires both recovery resistance and loss of storage usability. A broken enclosure or controller does not show that the data-bearing medium was sanitized. Partial damage, including a drilled hole, can leave recoverable portions; suitable destruction depends on the medium and applicable technique requirements. Degaussing is not an approved destroy technique in the cited revision. [1]

Relations

related

data-sanitization, clear-sanitization, purge-sanitization, sanitization-verification, sanitization-validation

Advantages

• Can address media for which an appropriate logical sanitization technique cannot be applied. [1]

Limitations

• Precludes reuse of the data-bearing medium, and visible damage alone is not evidence that the required destruction outcome was achieved. [1]

Citations

1. NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 (2025), Guidelines for Media Sanitization, 3.1.2-3.1.3 and 4.5.1, printed pages 10-11 and 24 (accessed 2026-10-14)
2. Hesela: SSD sanitization: why TRIM and a successful command are not enough (accessed 2026-10-14)

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