Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) — Question 231

What is the most secure standard for disposition of a hard drive containing personal data?

Answer options

• A. Degaussing.
• B. Formatting.
• C. Decryption.
• D. Recycling.

Correct answer: A

Explanation

Degaussing is the most secure method as it disrupts the magnetic fields on the hard drive, rendering the data unrecoverable. Formatting only removes the file system structure but does not erase the data itself, making it recoverable. Decryption is irrelevant in this context as it pertains to making encrypted data readable, not data disposal. Recycling does not guarantee data destruction and can lead to data breaches.