The answer is to use the drive manufacturer’s secure erase utility, because SSDs use wear-leveling and TRIM, which scatter data across all cells and make traditional overwriting methods unreliable for complete data removal. The ATA Secure Erase command resets every cell to an unallocated state, ensuring the proprietary source code is irrecoverable while preserving the drive’s health for reuse. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding that SSDs require a different decommissioning approach than HDDs—a common trap is choosing a multi-pass overwrite tool, which can actually damage NAND flash and fail to erase all blocks. Remember the memory tip: “SSDs need a reset, not a rewrite.”
220-1102 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 tasked with decommissioning a RAID array of SSDs that stored proprietary source code. The company policy requires that the drives be reused in another department. Which method ensures data is securely removed while preserving the SSDs?
Why wrong: A full format does not securely erase SSDs; it may leave data in over-provisioned areas unreachable by the OS.
B
Use the drive manufacturer's secure erase utility.
Manufacturer secure erase sends a command that resets all NAND cells, making data unrecoverable while allowing the SSD to be reused.
C
Degauss the SSDs.
Why wrong: Degaussing can damage the controller and may not fully erase data on SSDs due to their non-magnetic storage. It also may render the drive unusable.
D
Overwrite the drives with zeros three times.
Why wrong: Overwriting SSDs is unreliable because wear-leveling may prevent all cells from being overwritten. Secure erase is the recommended method.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the drive manufacturer's secure erase utility.
SSDs require special handling because their wear-leveling and TRIM features can make traditional overwriting unreliable. A secure erase command (ATA Secure Erase) is designed for SSDs to reset all cells to an unallocated state.
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.
✗
Run a full format on each SSD.
Why it's wrong here
A full format does not securely erase SSDs; it may leave data in over-provisioned areas unreachable by the OS.
✓
Use the drive manufacturer's secure erase utility.
Why this is correct
Manufacturer secure erase sends a command that resets all NAND cells, making data unrecoverable while allowing the SSD to be reused.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Degauss the SSDs.
Why it's wrong here
Degaussing can damage the controller and may not fully erase data on SSDs due to their non-magnetic storage. It also may render the drive unusable.
✗
Overwrite the drives with zeros three times.
Why it's wrong here
Overwriting SSDs is unreliable because wear-leveling may prevent all cells from being overwritten. Secure erase is the recommended method.
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: Use the drive manufacturer's secure erase utility. — SSDs require special handling because their wear-leveling and TRIM features can make traditional overwriting unreliable. A secure erase command (ATA Secure Erase) is designed for SSDs to reset all cells to an unallocated state.
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 customer brings in a laptop that they want to recycle, but they are concerned about personal data. The laptop has a 256GB SSD and the customer wants to keep the laptop functional for resale. Which method should the technician recommend?
medium
A.Remove the SSD and physically destroy it, then sell the laptop without a drive.
B.Use a degausser on the SSD.
C.Perform a standard format and reinstall Windows.
✓ D.Use the 'Reset this PC' option with the 'Remove everything and clean the drive' setting.
Why D: The correct answer is to use the built-in 'Reset this PC' with the 'Remove everything and clean the drive' option, which performs a secure wipe on SSDs. This ensures data is overwritten while keeping the laptop usable. Simple deletion or formatting is insufficient, and physical destruction would make the laptop unusable.
Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
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