Sanitization

Sanitization (or media sanitization) is the process of making data on storage media unrecoverable before the media is reused, repurposed, or disposed of. Simple deletion doesn't actually remove data — it just marks the space as available. Sanitization ensures that sensitive data, including CUI, cannot be recovered from decommissioned equipment.

Sanitization methods include clearing (overwriting data), purging (degaussing or cryptographic erasure), and destroying (shredding, disintegrating, incinerating). The appropriate method depends on the sensitivity of the data and whether the media will be reused or destroyed.