Properly disposing of storage media is a critical part of data security, and this episode outlines the methods you need to know. We begin with data wiping—using software to overwrite existing files—and explain why a single delete or format isn’t enough. Then we move on to degaussing, which uses magnetic fields to scramble data on hard drives and magnetic tapes.

Physical destruction is also discussed, including shredding, drilling, or incinerating drives, which is often required for high-sensitivity environments. CompTIA expects you to recognize which disposal method is appropriate for a given scenario, and this episode ensures you understand the benefits and limitations of each. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.