Named after its developer, the Gutmann algorithm is a method of disk wiping that overwrites data using a total of 35 p asses. DOD 7 PASSĪn identical drive wipe standard to the three-pass protocol, but with each step repeated an additional four times. Now, h owever, NIST Single Pass (see above) is becoming acceptable as the standard for some industries. Up until recently, this method has been the standard practice for peace of mind. The DOD 3 Pass method overwrites all data in three separate processes, first by writing only zeroes over the data, then only ones, and finally a random character.

This standard can also be employed by ordinary computer users with the proper tools. Department of Defense adheres to a standard protocol for data erasure from all devices that don’t contain classified information. Destroy renders target data recovery (using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques) infeasible and results in the subsequent inability to use the media for storage of data.Purge applies physical or logical techniques that render target data recovery infeasible using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques.Clear applies to logical techniques to sanitize data in all user-addressable storage locations for protection against simple noninvasive data recovery techniques it is typically applied through the standard Read and Write commands to the storage device, such as by rewriting with a new value or using a menu option to reset the device to the factory state (where rewriting is not supported).Read more in our blog post The Efficiencies of NIST Compliant Data Sanitization.

Revised in 2012 to include three types of media sanitization. A protocol developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology that overwrites data with just one pass of either all zeroes or random characters.

Dod data destruction standards