Data sanitization

Data sanitization is the process of securely removing or destroying sensitive information from storage media to prevent unauthorized access. It ensures that data cannot be recovered or reconstructed after deletion, which is essential when disposing of or repurposing devices like computers, hard drives, or USBs. Techniques include overwriting data with random patterns, degaussing (using magnets), or physically destroying the media. Proper data sanitization helps protect privacy, prevent identity theft, and comply with security standards by making data permanently unreadable and unrecoverable.