(ISC)2
CCSP · Question #865
What is the most effective method to ensure sensitive data on old hard drives cannot be recovered?
The correct answer is D. Physical destruction. Physically destroying the drive (shredding or degaussing+shredding) is the safest way to ensure data cannot be recovered. Overwriting can be effective but may fail if the drive is damaged. Encryption alone doesn't destroy the data if the key is known.
Submitted by akirajp· Apr 18, 2026Cloud Data Security
Question
What is the most effective method to ensure sensitive data on old hard drives cannot be recovered?
Options
- AEncryption with strong key
- BOverwriting the data (wiping)
- CDegaussing (magnetic erase)
- DPhysical destruction
How the community answered
(33 responses)- B3% (1)
- C3% (1)
- D94% (31)
Explanation
Physically destroying the drive (shredding or degaussing+shredding) is the safest way to ensure data cannot be recovered. Overwriting can be effective but may fail if the drive is damaged. Encryption alone doesn't destroy the data if the key is known.
Topics
#Data Sanitization#Data Disposal#Media Destruction#Data Recovery Prevention
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