CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71)SecurityHard
A system administrator is tasked with securely decommissioning an old server that contains highly sensitive customer data. Simply deleting the files and reformatting the hard drive is deemed insufficient. Which method should the administrator use to ensure the data is irrecoverable?
- AEncrypting the data before deletion
- BDegaussing the hard drive
- CLow-level formatting
- DPerforming a quick format
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Degaussing the hard drive
Degaussing uses a strong magnetic field to completely erase data from magnetic storage media, making it irrecoverable. This is more thorough than software-based methods or encryption followed by deletion.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Encrypting data before deletion might make recovery harder, but if the encryption key is compromised or the underlying data isn't overwritten multiple times, recovery might still be possible.
- C. Low-level formatting rewrites sectors to a default state but may still leave residual magnetic traces that advanced techniques could recover.
- D. A quick format only removes file system pointers, leaving the data largely intact and easily recoverable with data recovery tools.
Degaussing
The process of reducing or eliminating a magnetic field, used to erase data completely from magnetic storage media like hard disk drives and tapes.
- Uses a strong magnetic field
- Renders data irrecoverable
- Often makes the storage device unusable
Memory trick: Sanitize data thoroughly, or secrets will linger.