Secure Disk Erase provides three different levels of security: • Non-Secure Fast Erase: all pointers to the information are erased. The information itself remains on the hard disk until the disk space it occupies is needed for other purposes, and it is then overwritten. While it remains on the disk, it is difficult for most people to access, but may be accessed using software designed for the purpose. This is the normal method in which files are erased on most computer systems; it is the fastest method but the least secure. This is the default security level when using Secure Disk Erase. • Secure Fast Erase:
all pointers to the information are erased, and the information itself is also overwritten with a fixed character pattern. This method is slower than Non-Secure Fast Erase, but more secure. It may still be possible to access fragments of the erased information by using special tools to detect residual magnetic traces. • Secure Sanitizing Erase: all pointers to the information are erased, and the information itself is repetitively overwritten using an algorithm designed to eliminate any residual traces. This is the slowest method, but the most secure. Secure Sanitizing Erase meets the US Depart- ment of Defense 5220-22.m requirements for clearing and sanitization of disk media.
Perform the Disk Wipe DoD 5330.22-M utility as follows: 1. In the Service Utilities submenu, scroll to “Disk Wipe DoD 5330.22-M” and press Enter . 2. In the Disk Wipe DoD 5330.22-M submenu, scroll to “Secure Sanitize Level” and press Enter . Tests and Utilities 3. In the Secure Sanitize Level submenu, scroll to the required Secure Sanitize Level and press Enter . NOTE: Erasing the Hard Disk drive using either of the Secure Sanitize Levels is a very slow process, 6 hours for the Secure Fast Erase mode and 40 hours for the Secure Sanitizing Erase mode. 4. Press Back to return to the Disk Wipe DoD 5330.22-M submenu. 146 Chapter 4 Service Tests and Utilities