easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1202 Practice Question: A technician is disposing of a stack of CDs and…
A technician is disposing of a stack of CDs and DVDs that contain backup data from a medical office. The media are labeled with patient information. Which method should the technician use to destroy the data?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that degaussing works on all storage media, but the trap here is that optical discs are non-magnetic, so candidates who confuse magnetic media destruction with optical media destruction will incorrectly choose Option A.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a cross-cut shredder that accepts optical discs.
A cross-cut shredder that accepts optical discs physically destroys the media into small pieces, making data recovery impossible. This method is compliant with HIPAA requirements for destroying protected health information (PHI) on CDs and DVDs, as it renders the data irrecoverable through physical destruction.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Use a degausser on each disc.
Why it's wrong here
Degaussers operate by generating a strong alternating magnetic field to randomize the magnetic domains on ferromagnetic media, effectively erasing data. Optical discs, such as CDs, store data physically as microscopic pits and lands on a reflective surface, which are read by a laser. Since optical media does not rely on magnetic properties for data storage, a degausser will have absolutely no effect on the stored information, leaving it fully recoverable. This method is completely ineffective for secure data destruction on CDs.
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Scratch the surface of each disc with a key.
Why it's wrong here
While scratching the surface of a CD with a key might render certain sectors unreadable by a standard optical drive, it does not guarantee complete data destruction. Data is distributed across the entire disc surface, and even significant scratches often leave large portions of the data layer intact. Specialized forensic tools can often recover data from undamaged or partially damaged areas, making this an unreliable and insecure method for sensitive information.
- ✓
Use a cross-cut shredder that accepts optical discs.
Why this is correct
A cross-cut shredder designed for optical media physically destroys the disc by cutting it into numerous small, irregular fragments. This process ensures that the data layer, where information is encoded as pits and lands, is completely obliterated across the entire surface. Reducing the disc to tiny, non-contiguous pieces makes it virtually impossible to reconstruct the original data, providing a highly secure and effective method for irreversible data destruction.
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Place the discs in a microwave for 10 seconds.
Why it's wrong here
Placing optical discs in a microwave oven is an extremely dangerous and unreliable method for data destruction. The metallic layer within the disc can cause arcing, potentially damaging the microwave oven and creating a fire hazard. Furthermore, the heating process can release toxic fumes, and while the disc may become unreadable, it does not guarantee complete data destruction, as some data sectors might remain partially intact and recoverable.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.