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CAS-003 · Question #367
CAS-003 Question #367: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation
The correct answer is C: Demagnetizing the hard drive using a degausser.. Degaussing applies a powerful magnetic field to permanently destroy all data on magnetic media, making it the most reliable sanitization method for HDDs prior to disposal.
Question
During the decommissioning phase of a hardware project, a security administrator is tasked with ensuring no sensitive data is released inadvertently. All paper records are scheduled to be shredded in a crosscut shredded, and the waste will be burned. The system drives and removable media have been removed prior to e-cycling the hardware. Which of the following would ensure no data is recovered from the system droves once they are disposed of?
Options
- AOverwriting all HDD blocks with an alternating series of data.
- BPhysically disabling the HDDs by removing the dive head.
- CDemagnetizing the hard drive using a degausser.
- DDeleting the UEFI boot loaders from each HDD.
Explanation
Degaussing applies a powerful magnetic field to permanently destroy all data on magnetic media, making it the most reliable sanitization method for HDDs prior to disposal.
Common mistakes.
- A. Overwriting HDD blocks may leave data intact in remapped bad sectors, host-protected areas (HPA), or drive-level cache, making complete sanitization unreliable on modern drives without additional steps.
- B. Removing the drive head physically disables the drive's normal read/write operation but leaves the data on the platters fully intact, recoverable by lab equipment in a controlled environment.
- D. Deleting UEFI boot loaders only removes the boot configuration entries and has no effect whatsoever on user or system data stored in other sectors across the drive.
Concept tested. Magnetic media sanitization via degaussing before disposal
Reference. https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-88/rev-1/final
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