Which term describes disk degaussing, a process that demagnetizes the disk so data is permanently destroyed?

• A. Degaussing
• B. DMZ
• C. Default Password
• D. Disk Encryption

Answer: (A)

Degaussing is the process of demagnetizing magnetic storage to permanently erase the data. When a strong magnetic field is applied, the magnetic domains on the disk become randomized, making the stored information unrecoverable by conventional methods. This method is used to destroy data on magnetic media so it cannot be read again, which aligns with media disposal requirements in security practices like PCI DSS.

The other terms don’t describe data destruction: a DMZ is a network security zone used to host externally facing services; a default password is simply an insecure credential; disk encryption protects data by cryptography but does not destroy it unless the encryption keys are also destroyed, so the data could still be recoverable without key destruction.