- A
Use a degausser to demagnetize the discs.
Why wrong: Degaussing affects magnetic media only; optical discs use reflective layers and are unaffected by magnetic fields.
- B
Overwrite the discs with a disk-wiping tool.
Why wrong: CD-Rs and DVD-Rs are write-once; they cannot be overwritten after data is burned.
- C
Shred the discs using an industrial cross-cut shredder.
Shredding physically breaks the discs into small pieces, making data recovery impossible.
- D
Perform a quick format on the discs.
Why wrong: Optical discs cannot be formatted like hard drives; formatting is not applicable to write-once media.
Question 465 of 750
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 tasked with disposing of a large batch of optical discs (CD-Rs and DVD-Rs) that contain archived customer records. The company policy requires data to be unrecoverable. Which disposal method is most appropriate?
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
✓
Shred the discs using an industrial cross-cut shredder.
Option C is correct because industrial cross-cut shredding physically destroys the optical discs (CD-Rs and DVD-Rs), rendering the data unrecoverable. Unlike magnetic media, optical discs store data as physical pits in a dye layer, so degaussing or overwriting is ineffective. Shredding ensures compliance with data destruction policies requiring unrecoverable data.
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.
- ✗
Use a degausser to demagnetize the discs.
Why it's wrong here
Degaussing affects magnetic media only; optical discs use reflective layers and are unaffected by magnetic fields.
- ✗
Overwrite the discs with a disk-wiping tool.
Why it's wrong here
CD-Rs and DVD-Rs are write-once; they cannot be overwritten after data is burned.
- ✓
Shred the discs using an industrial cross-cut shredder.
Why this is correct
Shredding physically breaks the discs into small pieces, making data recovery impossible.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Perform a quick format on the discs.
Why it's wrong here
Optical discs cannot be formatted like hard drives; formatting is not applicable to write-once media.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse optical discs with magnetic media and assume degaussing or overwriting works, but the CompTIA A+ exam tests the fundamental difference that optical storage is physically permanent and requires physical destruction.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CD-Rs and DVD-Rs use a dye-based recording layer where a laser creates permanent pits during writing; these pits are physical deformations that cannot be electrically erased or overwritten. Even a full format or low-level format on optical discs only marks sectors as bad or rewrites the table of contents, but the underlying pit structure remains. In real-world scenarios, organizations handling archived customer records often use industrial shredders that reduce discs to small fragments, ensuring no contiguous data can be reconstructed.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
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: Shred the discs using an industrial cross-cut shredder. — Option C is correct because industrial cross-cut shredding physically destroys the optical discs (CD-Rs and DVD-Rs), rendering the data unrecoverable. Unlike magnetic media, optical discs store data as physical pits in a dye layer, so degaussing or overwriting is ineffective. Shredding ensures compliance with data destruction policies requiring unrecoverable data.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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