CompTIA CASP+ (CAS-003) — Question 135

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 shredder, 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 drives once they are disposed of?

Answer options

• A. Overwriting all HDD blocks with an alternating series of data.
• B. Physically disabling the HDDs by removing the drive head.
• C. Demagnetizing the hard drive using a degausser.
• D. Deleting the UEFI boot loaders from each HDD.

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is C, as demagnetizing the hard drive using a degausser effectively erases all data stored on the drive by disrupting the magnetic fields. Option A, while it can help, does not guarantee complete data destruction like demagnetization. Option B does not ensure data is unrecoverable, as the drive could still be repaired. Option D simply removes boot loaders and does not erase the data stored on the drive.