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ITAD Glossary
What is data sanitization?
Data sanitization is the process of making data on a storage device impossible to recover at a given level of effort. NIST SP 800-88 groups sanitization methods into three categories: clear, purge and destroy. Deleting files or running a factory reset does not count as sanitization.
Data sanitization
Why it matters for IT and security teams
Deleted files and reset devices can often be recovered with freely available tools. Privacy and security regulations expect organizations to sanitize data before equipment leaves their control, and to be able to prove it.
Data sanitization
How it works
- Clear: overwrites user-accessible storage with standard commands. Protects against simple recovery tools.
- Purge: uses methods such as cryptographic erase, block erase or, for magnetic media, degaussing. Protects against laboratory recovery.
- Destroy: shreds, disintegrates, pulverizes or melts the media so it cannot be used again.
- Verify and document: confirm the result and record it against the device’s serial number.
Data sanitization
How HOBI handles it
HOBI erases computer and server drives with HOBI Shield, its own erasure software. Shield assesses each drive individually and uses the drive’s built-in sanitize commands where they are supported, falling back to a sector-by-sector overwrite where they are not. Before erasing, Shield writes known data to part of the drive, then confirms afterward that the data can no longer be read. A separate check confirms a uniform pattern across every sector. Drives that fail erasure are shredded.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a factory reset enough to sanitize a device?
No. The R2v3 standard states that a factory reset is not logical sanitization.
Which sanitization method should I use?
It depends on the media type and how sensitive the data is. NIST SP 800-88 matches methods to both.
Can sanitized devices be resold?
Devices that are cleared or purged can be reused. Destroyed media cannot.
Keep learning
Related terms and services
Need help retiring IT equipment?
Talk to HOBI about secure data destruction, value recovery and certified recycling, or call 877-814-2620.