Secure Disposal Methods for Reusable Hardware

B.

When disposing of computer hardware that contains PHI (Protected Health Information), it is important to ensure that the data on the drive is properly sanitized and cannot be recovered by unauthorized individuals.

Of the options given, the most appropriate method for sanitizing the drive while still making it reusable is a "drive wipe".

A drive wipe is a process that involves overwriting all the data on the drive with random data to make it unreadable. This process is typically performed using specialized software that ensures that all areas of the drive are overwritten, including areas that may not be accessible through a standard format.

A degauss is a method that involves exposing the drive to a strong magnetic field to erase the data on the drive. While this method is effective at erasing data, it also renders the drive unusable for future use.

A standard format, on the other hand, simply erases the file allocation table and directory information on the drive, but does not actually erase the data on the drive. Data recovery tools can still be used to recover data from a drive that has been formatted.

A low-level format is a process that is typically only used by drive manufacturers to prepare a drive for use. This process also erases all the data on the drive and prepares it for use, but it is not recommended for sanitizing a drive before disposal as it can also render the drive unusable.

In summary, the most appropriate method for sanitizing the drive while still making it reusable is a drive wipe, which involves overwriting all the data on the drive with random data.