wipeprocedures

Wipe procedures refer to standardized processes for sanitizing data on storage devices so that the information cannot be recovered by unauthorized parties. They are used when IT assets are decommissioned, repurposed, or disposed of, and are intended to meet legal, regulatory, and organizational requirements for data protection.

Common methods include overwriting data with one or more patterns (such as zeros, ones, or pseudo-random data), cryptographic erasure by destroying or invalidating the encryption keys, degaussing for magnetic media, and physical destruction such as shredding or crushing. For solid-state drives and other flash storage, overwriting can be unreliable due to wear leveling and firmware behavior; cryptographic erasure or vendor-supported sanitization tools are often recommended for these media. In many cases, a combination of methods is used, depending on the device type, data sensitivity, and disposal channel.

Standards and guidelines for wipe procedures commonly reference established frameworks. National Institute of Standards and Technology SP 800-88 Rev. 1 provides guidelines for media sanitization and defines actions such as Clear, Purge, and Destroy, along with recommended methods for different media. Other guidelines and contractual requirements may cite additional procedures or vendor-specific tools. Organizations typically tailor wipe procedures to their risk posture, regulatory environment, and asset management processes.

Key implementation considerations include defining the scope and inventory of devices, selecting appropriate sanitization methods, applying tools in a controlled manner, and verifying that sanitization was successful. Documentation, verification tests, and an auditable chain of custody are important to demonstrate compliance and prevent data leakage during disposal or reuse.