To comply with privacy regulations, simple formatting is not enough. Disks must undergo secure erasure (zero overwrite) or degaussing to destroy magnetic fields. Certified software generates reports that legally guarantee the information is unrecoverable before disposal.
Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or LOPD require irreversible destruction of sensitive data when disposing of devices. A quick format only removes references, leaving data recoverable with forensic tools. Secure erasure applies standards like DoD 5220.22-M or NIST 800-88: multiple overwrite passes with random patterns. For HDDs, degaussing with certified equipment instantly destroys the magnetic domains. For SSDs, Secure Erase ATA or specific controller software is used. Labs issue detailed certificates with disk serial numbers and methods used, essential for legal audits and protection against information leaks.
