Erasure Standards
Data erasure standards define how storage media should be sanitized to prevent data recovery. We break down each standard in plain English — what it requires, when to use it, and which tools support it.
7 articles
Data Erasure Standards Explained: NIST, DoD, IEEE & More (2026)
Complete guide to data erasure standards — NIST 800-88, DoD 5220.22-M, IEEE 2883, Gutmann, and HMG IS5. Learn which standard fits your needs.
DoD 5220.22-M: Why the Military Wiping Standard Is Obsolete
DoD 5220.22-M is obsolete — the DoD no longer uses it. Learn why, what replaced it, and what standard you should follow for data erasure in 2026.
The Gutmann Method: Why 35-Pass Wiping Is Unnecessary
The Gutmann 35-pass wipe method is obsolete. Learn why its creator calls blind use "voodoo" and what modern research says about secure erasure.
HMG IS5 Explained: The UK Government Erasure Standard
HMG IS5 explained in plain English — the UK government data erasure standard with Baseline and Enhanced levels. Learn how it compares to NIST 800-88.
How Many Passes to Wipe a Hard Drive? The Evidence-Based Answer
How many overwrite passes does it take to wipe a hard drive? Research shows one pass is enough for modern HDDs. See the evidence and stop wasting time.
IEEE 2883 Explained: The New Standard for Storage Sanitization
IEEE 2883 is the first sanitization standard built for SSDs, NVMe, and flash storage. Learn what it requires and how it complements NIST 800-88.
NIST 800-88 Explained: The Modern Standard for Data Erasure
NIST 800-88 Rev. 2 explained in plain English. Learn the Clear, Purge, and Destroy sanitization levels and what changed from Rev. 1.