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Posted on by b w

NIST guidelines for SSD data erasure

The **NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)** provides guidelines for securely erasing data from storage devices, including SSDs (Solid State Drives). The most relevant standard for this purpose is **NIST Special Publication 800-88 Revision 1**, titled *”Guidelines for Media Sanitization.”*

 

### Key Recommendations for SSD Erasure:

  1. **Understand the SSD Technology**:

   – SSDs behave differently from traditional HDDs due to wear leveling, over-provisioning, and the use of flash memory. These factors make secure erasure more complex.

 

  1. **Sanitization Methods for SSDs**:

   NIST 800-88 Rev 1 outlines three main sanitization methods:

   – **Clear**: Use logical techniques to overwrite data (e.g., issuing a “Secure Erase” command). This is often sufficient for SSDs.

   – **Purge**: Use cryptographic erasure (if supported by the SSD) or physical destruction if cryptographic erasure is not feasible.

   – **Destroy**: Physically destroy the SSD to ensure data cannot be recovered.

 

  1. **Recommended Steps for SSD Erasure**:

   – **Step 1: Use the SSD’s Built-in Secure Erase Command**:

     – Most modern SSDs support a **Secure Erase** command (ATA or NVMe standard) that resets all cells to a blank state. This is the most effective and efficient method.

   – **Step 2: Cryptographic Erasure (if supported)**:

     – If the SSD supports encryption, you can simply delete the encryption key, rendering the data unrecoverable.

   – **Step 3: Physical Destruction (if necessary)**:

     – If the SSD does not support Secure Erase or cryptographic erasure, physical destruction (e.g., shredding, disintegrating) is recommended.

 

  1. **Verification**:

   – After performing the sanitization, verify that the data has been effectively erased using appropriate tools or methods.

 

### Important Notes:

– **Overwriting SSDs is not recommended**: Unlike HDDs, overwriting SSDs can be ineffective due to wear leveling and may reduce the lifespan of the drive.

– **Check Manufacturer Documentation**: Always refer to the SSD manufacturer’s guidelines for specific sanitization instructions, as methods may vary by model.

 

For more details, you can refer to the full document: 

[NIST SP 800-88 Rev 1](https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-88r1.pdf)