The answer is to remove each drive and wipe them individually using a secure erase tool. This is correct because RAID arrays use striping, which distributes data across all physical drives; wiping only the logical volume leaves data remnants on individual sectors that are not overwritten by a single volume-level wipe. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of data destruction methods for RAID configurations, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose to wipe the array as a single volume. A common memory tip is “striped data needs stripped drives”—since data is spread across every disk, each physical drive must be erased separately to ensure certified destruction.
220-1202 Data Destruction and Disposal Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of data destruction and disposal. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is decommissioning a server that contained highly sensitive financial data. The server has multiple HDDs in a RAID array. The company policy requires data destruction to be certified. Which approach is most efficient and secure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Remove each drive and wipe them individually using a secure erase tool.
For RAID arrays, wiping each individual drive separately ensures that all data is destroyed, as RAID striping distributes data across drives. A single wipe of the logical volume may not cover all physical sectors. Certified destruction often involves physical shredding or secure wiping with verification.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Perform a single overwrite on the RAID logical volume.
Why it's wrong here
Overwriting the logical volume may not reach all physical sectors due to RAID controller caching or spare sectors.
✓
Remove each drive and wipe them individually using a secure erase tool.
Why this is correct
Wiping each drive individually ensures all physical sectors are overwritten, regardless of RAID configuration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Degauss the entire server chassis.
Why it's wrong here
Degaussing a chassis is impractical and may not affect all drives uniformly; also, degaussing damages drives.
✗
Reformat the RAID array and reinstall the OS.
Why it's wrong here
Reformatting only clears file system metadata; data remains recoverable and does not meet certified destruction requirements.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Data Destruction and Disposal — This question tests Data Destruction and Disposal — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Remove each drive and wipe them individually using a secure erase tool. — For RAID arrays, wiping each individual drive separately ensures that all data is destroyed, as RAID striping distributes data across drives. A single wipe of the logical volume may not cover all physical sectors. Certified destruction often involves physical shredding or secure wiping with verification.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician is decommissioning a server that uses a hardware RAID controller. The company policy requires that all data be destroyed, but the drives must be returned to the leasing company. Which method ensures data is unrecoverable while preserving the drives?
hard
A.Remove the drives and use a degausser on each one.
B.Perform a secure erase using a bootable utility like DBAN.
✓ C.Use the RAID controller's built-in 'secure erase' or 'low-level format' command.
D.Physically drill through the drive enclosures.
Why C: Hardware RAID controllers often use non-standard sector layouts, making software-based wiping unreliable. The best approach is to use the RAID controller's own low-level format or secure erase utility, which understands the controller's geometry.
Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
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