Erase & Wipe Methods (Sanitation Standards)
One Pass Zeros or One Pass Random
When using One Pass Zeros or One Pass Random, the number of passes is fixed and cannot be changed. When the write head
passes through a sector, it writes only zeros or a series of random characters.
US DoD 5220.22-M
The write head passes over each sector three times. The first time with zeros 0x00, second time with 0xFF and the third
time with random characters. There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
Canadian CSEC ITSG-06
The write head passes over each sector, writing a random character. On the next pass, writes the compliment of previously written
character. Final pass is random, proceeded by a verify.
Canadian OPS-II
The write head passes over each sector seven times (0x00, 0xFF, 0x00, 0xFF, 0x00, 0xFF, random). There is one final pass to
verify random characters by reading.
British HMG IS5 Baseline
Baseline method overwrites disk's surface with just zeros 0x00. There is one final pass to verify random characters by
reading.
British HMG IS5 Enhanced
Enhanced method - the write head passes over each sector three times. The first time with zeros 0x00, second time with
0xFF and the third time with random characters. There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
Russian GOST p50739-95
The write head passes over each sector two times. (0x00, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by
reading.
US Army AR380-19
The write head passes over each sector three times. The first time with 0xFF, second time with zeros 0x00 and the third
time with random characters. There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
US Air Force 5020
The write head passes over each sector three times. The first time with random characters, second time with zeros 0x00 and the
third time with 0xFF. There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
NAVSO P-5329-26 RL
RL method - the write head passes over each sector three times (0x01, 0x27FFFFFF, Random).
There is one final pass to verify random characters by reading.
NCSC-TG-025
The write head passes over each sector three times (0x00, 0xFF, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by
reading.
NSA 130-2
The write head passes over each sector two times (Random, Random). There is one final pass to verify random characters by
reading.
NIST 800-88
Supported three NIST 800-88 media sanitation standards:
1. The write head passes over each sector one time (0x00).
2. The write head passes over each sector one time (Random).
3. The write head passes over each sector three times (0x00, 0xFF, Random).
For details about this,the most secure data clearing standard, you can read the original article at the link below:http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-88/NISTSP800-88_with-errata.pdf
German VSITR
The write head passes over each sector seven times.
Bruce Schneier
The write head passes over each sector seven times (0xFF, 0x00, Random, Random, Random, Random, Random). There is one final pass
to verify random characters by reading.
Peter Gutmann
The write head passes over each sector 35 times. For details about this, the most secure data clearing standard, you can
read the original article at the link below: http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/%7Epgut001/pubs/se%0Acure_del.html
Australian ISM-6.2.93
The write head passes over each sector once with random characters. There is one
final pass to verify random characters by reading.