What is the most secure way to dispose of information on a CD-ROM?

The correct answer is D. Physical destruction. CD-ROMs store data optically (using pits and lands on a reflective layer), not magnetically, so degaussing (applying a strong magnetic field) has no effect on them-making option C incorrect. Sanitizing typically applies to magnetic media. Physical damage (scratching) may leave…

Submitted by kevin_r· Apr 18, 2026Security Concepts and Practices

Question

Options

ASanitizing
BPhysical damage
CDegaussing
DPhysical destruction

How the community answered

(33 responses)

B
3% (1)
C
6% (2)
D
91% (30)

Explanation

CD-ROMs store data optically (using pits and lands on a reflective layer), not magnetically, so degaussing (applying a strong magnetic field) has no effect on them-making option C incorrect. Sanitizing typically applies to magnetic media. Physical damage (scratching) may leave recoverable data. Physical destruction-such as shredding, crushing, or incinerating the disc-renders the optical layer completely unreadable and unrecoverable, making it the only method that guarantees the data cannot be retrieved.

Topics

#Data disposal#Media sanitization#Physical destruction#Optical media

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