easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: A small office is decommissioning several SSDs…
A small office is decommissioning several SSDs from old laptops. The technician needs to ensure data is destroyed securely and the drives can be resold. Which method is most appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that degaussing works on all storage media or that multi-pass overwrites are universally secure, when in fact SSDs require a different approach due to their NAND flash architecture and wear-leveling algorithms.
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 the ATA Secure Erase command.
The ATA Secure Erase command is the most appropriate method because it is specifically designed for SSDs, issuing a secure erase command at the firmware level that resets all cells to their unprogrammed state, effectively destroying all data in seconds. This method is reliable, fast, and does not wear out the NAND flash cells like multi-pass overwrites would, making it ideal for decommissioning and reselling SSDs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Run a multi-pass overwrite with random data.
Why it's wrong here
Running a multi-pass overwrite with random data is an unreliable method for securely erasing Solid State Drives (SSDs). Unlike Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), SSDs utilize wear-leveling algorithms and over-provisioning, which means the operating system's logical write commands do not directly correspond to physical flash cells. The SSD controller may remap logical block addresses to different physical locations during an overwrite, potentially leaving original data remnants in untouched cells or within over-provisioned areas inaccessible to the host.
- ✓
Use the ATA Secure Erase command.
Why this is correct
Using the ATA Secure Erase command is the most effective and recommended method for securely decommissioning an SSD. This command is sent directly to the SSD's controller, which then executes an internal, low-level routine to erase all user-addressable NAND flash memory cells to an unprogrammed (empty) state. This process bypasses the file system and wear-leveling logic, ensuring comprehensive data removal and restoring the drive to a factory-like condition, making it safe for reuse or disposal.
- ✗
Degauss the SSDs to remove magnetic data.
Why it's wrong here
Degaussing is entirely ineffective and potentially damaging for Solid State Drives because they do not store data magnetically. SSDs rely on electrical charges within NAND flash memory cells, not magnetic domains, to retain information. Applying a powerful magnetic field from a degausser would not erase the data but would likely induce currents that could corrupt the SSD's controller firmware or physically damage sensitive electronic components, rendering the drive inoperable without achieving data erasure.
- ✗
Perform a standard delete and empty the recycle bin.
Why it's wrong here
Performing a standard delete and emptying the recycle bin is insufficient for secure data erasure on any storage medium, especially SSDs. This action merely removes the file's pointer from the operating system's file allocation table, marking the space as available for new data. The actual data blocks remain physically on the drive and are easily recoverable with common data recovery tools until they are eventually overwritten, which is not guaranteed or immediate on an SSD due to wear-leveling and TRIM operations.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 495 original 220-1202 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.