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ITAD Glossary
What is degaussing?
Degaussing erases magnetic storage media, such as hard disk drives and data tapes, by exposing them to a strong magnetic field that scrambles the recorded data. It does not work on solid-state drives, flash memory or phones, which store data electrically rather than magnetically.
Degaussing
Why it matters for IT and security teams
Many buyers assume degaussing covers every drive. Using it on SSDs leaves data intact. Degaussed hard drives also usually stop working, so the drive loses its resale value.
Degaussing
How it works
- A degausser rated for the media’s magnetic strength (coercivity) is applied to the drive or tape.
- The result is verified and recorded by serial number.
- Drives are often shredded afterward for added assurance.
Degaussing
How HOBI handles it
HOBI does not degauss drives in-house. Hard drives are erased with HOBI Shield so they can be reused, or shredded when they cannot be erased.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does degaussing work on SSDs?
No. SSDs and flash storage hold data in electrical cells, so a magnetic field does not erase them.
Can a degaussed hard drive be reused?
Generally no. The magnetic field also wipes the factory data the drive needs to operate.
Is degaussing an approved sanitization method?
NIST recognizes degaussing as a purge method for magnetic media when the degausser is rated for that media.
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.