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.
4 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 vs NIST 800-88: Which Erasure Standard to Follow (2026)
DoD 5220.22-M vs NIST 800-88 compared. Learn why NIST replaced DoD for data erasure, which standard to follow in 2026, and how to update your policies.
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.
NIST 800-88 Rev. 2: What Changed in the 2025 Update
NIST 800-88 Rev. 2 explained: what changed from Rev. 1, new NVMe and SSD guidance, IEEE 2883 alignment, and how to update your policies.