220-1002 · Question #177
A technician is disposing of computer hardware that contains PHI. The drive must be reusable. Which of the following methods should be used?
The correct answer is D. Low-level format. PHI (Protected Health Information) is regulated under HIPAA and requires secure data destruction methods. Since the drive must remain reusable, physical destruction is not an option. A low-level format (zero-fill) overwrites every sector of the drive with zeros (or random…
Question
A technician is disposing of computer hardware that contains PHI. The drive must be reusable. Which of the following methods should be used?
Options
- ADegauss
- BDrive wipe
- CStandard format
- DLow-level format
How the community answered
(49 responses)- A6% (3)
- B10% (5)
- C18% (9)
- D65% (32)
Explanation
PHI (Protected Health Information) is regulated under HIPAA and requires secure data destruction methods. Since the drive must remain reusable, physical destruction is not an option. A low-level format (zero-fill) overwrites every sector of the drive with zeros (or random data), making all previous data unrecoverable while leaving the drive physically intact and functional for reuse. A standard format only removes file system references without overwriting data, leaving PHI recoverable with forensic tools. Degaussing destroys the magnetic medium and renders the drive unusable. A drive wipe (option B) is similar to a low-level format, but in CompTIA A+ context, low-level format specifically refers to the thorough sector-by-sector overwrite that satisfies secure disposal requirements for sensitive data.
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