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220-1102 Practice Question: Is moving to a cloud-based system and needs to…
An organization is moving to a cloud-based system and needs to dispose of several tape backup cartridges that contain years of financial data. The tapes are LTO-5 and are still readable. Which destruction method is most appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that a quick format or file deletion is sufficient for secure data destruction on magnetic media, when in fact only degaussing or physical destruction ensures the data is irrecoverable.
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
✓
Overwrite the tapes with a bulk eraser or degausser.
A degausser or bulk eraser generates a powerful magnetic field that disrupts the magnetic domains on the LTO-5 tape media, rendering the previously stored data unrecoverable. This method is the most appropriate for LTO-5 tapes because it physically destroys the magnetic encoding without requiring a compatible tape drive, and it is faster and more reliable than attempting to overwrite the entire tape. For secure disposal of magnetic media containing sensitive financial data, degaussing is the industry-standard approach when physical destruction is not mandated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Overwrite the tapes with a bulk eraser or degausser.
Why this is correct
A bulk eraser or degausser applies a strong, fluctuating magnetic field to the entire tape, effectively randomizing the magnetic domains that store data. This process completely neutralizes the magnetic patterns, rendering all previously recorded data unreadable and unrecoverable by any means, including advanced forensic techniques. Degaussing is a highly effective and industry-standard method for securely sanitizing magnetic storage media like tapes, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations.
- ✗
Perform a quick format of the tapes using a tape drive.
Why it's wrong here
Performing a quick format on a tape drive is insufficient for secure data destruction because it primarily rewrites only the tape's header and directory information, marking the entire tape as empty or available. The actual data blocks containing sensitive information remain physically present on the magnetic media. Specialized data recovery software or forensic tools can easily bypass the updated header and retrieve the original data, posing a significant security risk.
- ✗
Reuse the tapes for non-sensitive data after deleting the files.
Why it's wrong here
Simply deleting files on a tape, much like on a hard drive, does not physically remove the data from the magnetic surface; it merely updates the tape's index or file allocation table to mark the space as available for new data. The original magnetic patterns representing the sensitive information persist on the tape until they are explicitly overwritten. Consequently, reusing such tapes without proper sanitization risks unauthorized access to residual data through data recovery techniques.
- ✗
Burn the tapes in an industrial incinerator.
Why it's wrong here
While incineration in an industrial incinerator would physically destroy the tapes and their data, it is generally not a practical or recommended method for most organizations due to significant logistical and regulatory hurdles. This method often involves high costs, specialized facilities, and strict environmental regulations regarding emissions and waste disposal. Degaussing or professional shredding services are typically more cost-effective and environmentally compliant alternatives for secure physical destruction.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Data Destruction and Disposal
Key term
Backup
A backup is a copy of computer data taken and stored separately so that the original data can be restored if it is lost, damaged, or corrupted.
Key term
Secure disposal
Secure disposal is the process of permanently destroying or sanitizing data storage media so that the data cannot be recovered or reconstructed by any means.
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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.