Adattávolítás

Adattávolítás, often translated as data removal or data sanitization, refers to the process of ensuring that data is irrecoverably deleted from a storage medium. This goes beyond simply deleting files through standard operating system functions, which often only mark the space as available for new data while the original data remains. True adattávolítás aims to prevent any possibility of data recovery, whether through simple undelete tools or more sophisticated forensic techniques.

There are several methods for achieving adattávolítás. One common approach is overwriting, where data is systematically replaced with random or specific patterns of bits. Performing this multiple times with different patterns, as described in standards like DoD 5220.22-M, increases the assurance of data destruction. Another method is degaussing, which uses a strong magnetic field to disrupt the magnetic domains on media like hard disk drives and magnetic tapes, rendering the data unreadable. For solid-state drives (SSDs), which operate differently from traditional magnetic media, secure erase commands built into the drive's firmware are often employed, or physical destruction of the drive is considered the most reliable method.

The importance of adattávolítás stems from the need to protect sensitive information. When devices are retired, repurposed, or disposed of, residual data can pose significant security risks if it falls into the wrong hands. This is particularly critical for organizations handling personal identifiable information (PII), financial data, intellectual property, or classified information. Implementing proper adattávolítás procedures is a key component of data security and regulatory compliance.