Data Wiping 101: Benefits, Methods, Considerations, And More

Understanding Data Wiping

Data wiping permanently erases data from storage devices, making it unrecoverable even with advanced recovery tools. This process involves overwriting the storage media multiple times with random data patterns, zeros, or other algorithms to obliterate the original information.

Unlike essential deletion or formatting, which removes file directory references, data wiping systematically overwrites every sector of storage media with complex algorithms, making data recovery impossible.

Different devices demand unique data-wiping approaches. Hard disk drives (HDDs) need multiple overwrite passes to eliminate data traces, while solid-state drives (SSDs) use secure erase protocols due to their complex memory architecture

Some of the devices that must undergo professional data wiping to ensure complete data erasure include:

• Enterprise and personal computer hard drives

• Solid-state storage devices

• Corporate smartphones and tablets

• External storage media

• Network-attached storage (NAS) systems

• Cloud storage infrastructure components

Why Organizations Need to Rely on Data Wiping

Data wiping is one of those behind-the-scenes cybersecurity practices that most people never consider. However, it’s super important.

You’ll eventually upgrade your company’s computers or sell old servers. What happens to all that sensitive data? If you're not careful, you could be inadvertently handing over a handful of confidential information to dangerous hands. This risk of exposing customer data, trade secrets, or financials is a threat no organization can afford.

Here are all the reasons you need data wiping:

Keeps your organizational data protected

Businesses handle vast amounts of sensitive data, from customer information to proprietary research. Even a tiny lapse in data security can lead to catastrophic consequences. 

Data wiping is a guardrail against such risks as it addresses vulnerabilities like:

• Residual data threats: Deleting files or formatting a drive doesn’t completely erase the data. Skilled attackers can use forensic tools to reconstruct residual data and retrieve information presumed to be gone.

• Advanced persistent threats (APTs): Risky adversaries often target organizations for valuable intelligence. Improperly wiped devices become a nest of exploitable data for these attackers.

Professional data wiping eliminates these risks and acts as a critical line of defense by leaving no data traces.

Eliminates risks of data breaches

Data breaches are no longer rare, random events; they’re a daily occurrence. The 2024 IBM Cost of a Data Breach report highlights an average cost exceeding $4.88 million per incident. With attackers continuously probing for weaknesses, discarded or resold IT equipment is an easy entry point. 

Secure data wiping directly cancels this risk by rendering old devices harmless. Wiping also reduces the risk of breaches that could stem from device mishandling by third-party vendors or improper IT asset disposal. 

Enables compliance with data protection regulations

Industries governed by laws like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA require organizations to demonstrate responsibility in handling personal data, particularly when disposing of it.

Non-compliance with standards like GDPR Article 17 (“Right to Erasure”) might trigger steep fines—up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover.

Many standards mandate documented evidence of secure data destruction. Properly implemented data-wiping policies ensure your organization is always audit-ready.

Supports IT sustainability initiatives

Data wiping is also a key enabler of environmental sustainability goals. IT asset disposal is a growing concern as e-waste volumes rise globally. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor, 62 million metric tons of e-waste were generated in 2022 alone. Proper data destruction helps divert functioning equipment from landfills.

Securely wiped devices retain value and can be reused internally or donated, reducing the demand for new hardware production. Even when devices are at the end of their lifecycle, data wiping ensures they can be responsibly recycled without risking data exposure.

Methods of Data Wiping

Specific data-wiping methods have become the industry standard for their reliability and effectiveness. Here are the most widely used and trusted techniques:

Overwriting

Overwriting is a standard data destruction method. It involves replacing existing data with meaningless patterns to render it irrecoverable. This method is commonly used for HDDs and SSDs. There are two types of overwriting:

• Single-pass overwriting: This technique writes over data once with zeros, ones, or random patterns. It is efficient and meets many compliance standards for non-critical data. However, it is insufficient for highly sensitive information, as residual data traces can persist.

Multi-pass overwriting: This is a more secure destruction method that involves multiple passes—sometimes up to 35, as per the Gutmann method. Multi-pass techniques have a higher level of security but are time-consuming and unnecessary for modern storage devices like SSDs, where single-pass methods are usually enough.

Degaussing (Magnetic erasure)

Degaussing exposes magnetic storage devices like HDDs and magnetic tapes to a powerful magnetic field, disrupting the device's magnetic structure and erasing all data.

This method has the advantage of being fast and effective for completely erasing magnetic storage devices. However, degaussing renders the device unusable, making it impractical for reuse or resale. It is also ineffective on SSDs and requires specialized equipment, which can be costly.

Cryptographic erasure

Cryptographic erasure is a highly efficient method in which encryption keys for encrypted data are securely deleted. Once the key is destroyed, the encrypted data becomes inaccessible and effectively erased.

It’s quick, scalable, and ideal for modern storage devices like SSDs and cloud environments. The method also preserves the storage device's usability and supports green IT initiatives.

The downside of cryptographic erasure is that it only works if the data is encrypted. This means forward planning and strong encryption practices are required during data use.

Physical destruction

Physical destruction includes shredding, pulverizing, or incinerating storage devices to make data irrevocable. While 100% effective, it eliminates the possibility of device reuse and generates e-waste.

Conversely, digital wiping techniques like overwriting and cryptographic erasure allow devices to be reused and refurbished. They also enable compliance through detailed audit trails, which physical destruction cannot offer.

Data Erasure Standards

Erasure standards provide the benchmark for secure data removal from storage media. The two most widely recognized standards are NIST Special Publication 800-88 and DoD 5220.22-M. 

But what exactly are these?

NIST Special Publication 800-88 (Rev. 1)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-88 is one of the most comprehensive guidelines for media sanitization. It is highly detailed, technology-agnostic, and suitable for modern storage devices like SSDs, HDDs, and hybrid drives.

There are three stages in NIST erasure: learning (overwriting data with random values), Purging (cryptographic erasure or degaussing), and Destruction (physically making the media inoperable).

NIST emphasizes the importance of overwriting patterns tailored to media type, recognizing that residual data remnants (data remanence) can vary by technology. For SSDs, cryptographic erasure is recommended due to the nature of wear-leveling algorithms, which complicate overwriting.

DoD 5220.22-M

The U.S. Department of Defense standard is one of the oldest and most referenced methods for data erasure. Initially developed for magnetic storage, it remains widely used.

The methodology looks like this: 

• First pass: Writes a specific character (e.g., all zeros).

• Second pass: Writes the complement of the first pass (e.g., all ones).

• Third pass: Writes random data, followed by verification for complete overwriting.

DoD 5220.22-M addresses vulnerabilities in magnetic media and focuses on the possibility of residual magnetization traces. The method tries to minimize detectable remnants by alternating patterns and random data. 

Things IT Managers Need To Keep In Mind in the Data Wiping Process

Data wiping is an integral part of IT management that requires careful planning and execution. IT managers must consider several factors to ensure data is securely erased while meeting regulatory, operational, and environmental goals. 

Here’s what to keep in mind:

Choosing the proper method for the device and data

The type of storage device—HDD, SSD, or even non-traditional devices like IoT systems—dictates your method.

• Hard disk drives (HDDs): Overwriting is typically sufficient for HDDs, but multi-pass methods like those outlined in DoD 5220.22-M may be necessary for highly sensitive data.

• Solid-state drives (SSDs): Overwriting might not reach all data blocks due to wear-leveling algorithms. Cryptographic erasure is the preferred method here, using encryption to make data inaccessible.

• IoT and embedded systems: These devices often store residual data that’s easy to overlook. To secure these endpoints, you need special tools to detect and wipe embedded storage.

Finding the right software and tools for data wiping

The ideal data wiping solution for you would depend on your organization’s size, compliance requirements, and budget. Choose tools that bundle these essential features:

• Comprehensive device support: Ensure the software supports all devices in your environment, from legacy HDDs to modern SSDs.

• Wiping standards: Choose tools that implement recognized standards like NIST 800-88 or ISO 27040.

• Automation: For large IT environments, tools that give you bulk wiping and automated workflows save time and reduce human error.

• Ease of use: A user-friendly interface is necessary, especially when training staff or deploying the tool across multiple locations.

Certification of data erasure

Compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA is non-negotiable. Certifications provide legal and regulatory evidence that devices were wiped securely. This can protect your organization from fines, legal disputes, and reputational damage.

Look for tools that generate detailed logs, including the date, time, method of erasure, and device serial numbers. You’ll need these records during audits and asset lifecycle reviews.

Why Data Wiping Matters for IT Management 

Smart IT management depends on how you think ahead instead of the technology itself. Data wiping keeps your operations secure and efficient. Beyond that, 

Makes asset management easy

Data wiping simplifies the lifecycle of IT equipment and smoothly transitions devices from active use to offboarding. Instead of gathering dust in a storage room, securely wiped assets can be reused or resold, saving IT teams time and hassle.

Shields your business from risk

When offboarding devices, the last thing you want is sensitive data to fall into the wrong hands. Data wiping ensures a clean slate and keeps your organization safe from data breaches and hefty fines for non-compliance with GDPR or HIPAA laws.

Gives devices a second chance at life

A securely wiped device is an opportunity. Confused? Refurbishing or repurposing wiped devices reduces e-waste and gives your IT investments more mileage. Plus, it’s a better deal for the planet and your bottom line.

Helps you save big with smarter choices

Why destroy perfectly good equipment when data wiping costs less and retains device value? By choosing data wiping over physical destruction, you extract much more value from your devices while remaining eco-conscious.

Challenges and Common Mistakes in the Data Wiping Process

When wiping your data, you need to think beyond the obvious. It’s not just a matter of running a tool; you need to use the right methods for different storage types and keep records.

Some common hurdles include:

• Using inadequate wiping methods: Not all data wiping methods are equally effective. Some organizations still rely on essential file deletion or formatting, leaving data recoverable with simple tools. To ensure data is unrecoverable, opt for professional-grade wiping, following standards like NIST 800-88 or DoD 5220.22-M.

• Skipping documentation and certification: Without proper records, it’s hard to prove that data wiping was done correctly. This oversight will also create compliance headaches during audits or legal disputes. Certifications from trusted tools or services provide verifiable proof of thorough data sanitization.

• Not paying attention to non-traditional storage: IT teams often focus on hard drives and SSDs but overlook embedded systems in IoT devices, printers, or networking hardware. These, too, store sensitive data. A single overlooked device becomes a weak link in your data security chain.

Tools and Platforms for Secure Data Wiping

After thorough testing, we can confidently say that these are some of the best data-wiping solutions available:

Workwize

Via Workwize

Workwize is a zero-touch device lifecycle management solution. It helps manage device operations across each stage of their lifecycle, from procurement to deployment, no matter where your assets are located. With Workwize, you can:

• Get quotes from trusted ITAD vendors, ensuring compliance with local regulations.

• Let Workwize manage device shipping to ITAD vendors.

• Securely erase all data using our wipe-up services.

• Receive a wipe-up certificate and financial settlement credited to your account for resold devices.

Workwize also assists with IT asset procurements, deployment, retrievals, and management.

Blancco Drive Eraser

Via Blancco

Blancco is a popular name in enterprise-level data sanitization. It supports a wide range of devices, including HDDs, SSDs, and even RAID configurations. Its patented, NIST-compliant wiping algorithms guarantee complete data erasure with real-time reports and certificates for audit purposes. 

Blancco also integrates easily with most IT asset management systems to streamline the offboarding process for IT teams handling large-scale device decommissioning.

DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke)

Via DBAN

DBAN is a lightweight, open-source tool ideal for personal or small business use. It boots from a USB or CD, wipes data from standard storage devices, and removes viruses and spyware from Windows installations.

While effective for standalone drives, DBAN lacks enterprise-grade features like centralized management, reporting, or SSD optimization. It’s a solid free option, but you must weigh its limitations against compliance needs.

KillDisk

Via KillDisk

KillDisk hits a balance between affordability and functionality. It supports multiple wipe standards, including NIST and Gutmann, making it suitable for personal and enterprise use. 

Its Pro version allows simultaneous multi-drive wiping and provides detailed erasure reports. KillDisk’s versatility makes it a good choice for mixed IT ecosystems, as it supports embedded storage and virtual environments.

Ontrack Eraser

Via Ontrack

Ontrack Eraser is built for organizations managing large IT infrastructures. It offers remote wiping so IT administrators can securely sanitize devices across the network without physical access.

The platform provides tamper-free audit trails for data security and privacy and complies with SOX, GLBA, HIPAA, ISO27001, EU-GDPR, PCI-DSS, and many more. Ontrack benefits bulk operations, such as corporate hardware refresh cycles or decommissioning leased devices.

Erase Data Conveniently With Workwize 

With Workwize, you can automate all hardware lifecycle processes, including device recovery and data wiping.

When an employee is offboarded, you can arrange for device retrievals and subsequent recycling/disposal of equipment (post-proper data wiping). Workwize integrates with 80+ HR and IT tools so that you can take the right action at the right time for comprehensive data security.

Workwize partners with only certified data-wiping vendors. After data destruction, you'll have a certificate of data destruction for all regulatory and legal requirements. You can also track all assets in real-time and access audit-ready documentation once decommissioning is completed.

The best part? Workwize provides data wiping service as part of its larger IT hardware management platform. This means you don't need to search for ITAD vendors separately for end-of-life assets or compromise with security at any point. You can enjoy peace of mind, knowing your data is truly gone, not just “gone.” Book a Workwize Demo today.