Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) — Question 145

Which of the following is the BEST way to sanitize a hard disk for reuse to ensure the organization's information cannot be accessed?

Answer options

• A. Re-partitioning
• B. Degaussing
• C. Formatting
• D. Data wiping

Correct answer: D

Explanation

Data wiping is the most reliable method for ensuring that all data on a hard disk is irretrievably removed, making it inaccessible. Re-partitioning, formatting, and degaussing do not provide the same level of security; for example, formatting may still leave data recoverable, while degaussing is not always feasible with modern drives.