- A
Physically shred the drives.
Why wrong: Shredding destroys the drives, preventing reuse. The requirement is to keep them functional.
- B
Perform a standard format and reinstall the OS.
Why wrong: Formatting does not remove encrypted data; the encryption key may still be present, and data could be recovered if the key is known.
- C
Issue a cryptographic erase command to the drive's self-encrypting feature.
Crypto erase changes the encryption key, rendering all data unreadable. The drive remains usable for testing.
- D
Use a degausser on the drives.
Why wrong: Degaussing can damage the drive's controller and may not work on SSDs; it also may render the drive unusable.
Question 653 of 750
Cryptographic Erase for Encrypted Drives
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of data destruction and disposal. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 company is decommissioning a server that contained encrypted customer financial data. The IT manager wants to ensure the data is destroyed without damaging the hard drives, as they will be reused in test environments. Which method should be used?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to issue a cryptographic erase command to the drive’s self-encrypting feature. This works because a cryptographic erase, or crypto erase, destroys the encryption key used to scramble the data, rendering the encrypted data permanently inaccessible even though the physical bits remain on the platters. For the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of data destruction methods that preserve hardware for reuse, contrasting with degaussing or physical shredding which would ruin the drives. A common trap is confusing a standard format with a crypto erase—remember that formatting only removes the file system pointers, not the encrypted data or its key. The key insight is that on self-encrypting drives, the encryption key is the lock; destroying it is like melting the lock while leaving the safe intact. Memory tip: “Crypto erase = key kill, not drive drill.”
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
✓
Issue a cryptographic erase command to the drive's self-encrypting feature.
Option C is correct because the server's hard drives are self-encrypting drives (SEDs) that support the TCG Opal or IEEE 1667 standard. Issuing a cryptographic erase command (e.g., via hdparm --security-erase or a vendor tool) instantly invalidates the media encryption key, rendering all data on the drive permanently inaccessible without physically damaging the drive. This meets the requirement of destroying the encrypted customer financial data while preserving the drives for reuse in test environments.
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.
- ✗
Physically shred the drives.
Why it's wrong here
Shredding destroys the drives, preventing reuse. The requirement is to keep them functional.
- ✗
Perform a standard format and reinstall the OS.
Why it's wrong here
Formatting does not remove encrypted data; the encryption key may still be present, and data could be recovered if the key is known.
- ✓
Issue a cryptographic erase command to the drive's self-encrypting feature.
Why this is correct
Crypto erase changes the encryption key, rendering all data unreadable. The drive remains usable for testing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a degausser on the drives.
Why it's wrong here
Degaussing can damage the drive's controller and may not work on SSDs; it also may render the drive unusable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception tested on the CompTIA A+ exam is that a standard format or OS reinstall is sufficient for secure data destruction. However, encrypted data on SEDs remains recoverable unless the encryption key is specifically invalidated via a cryptographic erase command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cryptographic erase works by generating a new media encryption key (MEK) and overwriting the old key in the drive's secure non-volatile memory; the old MEK is discarded, and the encrypted data becomes unrecoverable even with advanced forensic tools. This process is defined by the TCG Storage Security Subsystem Class (SSC) for Opal drives and typically completes in milliseconds, unlike full-disk overwriting which can take hours. In real-world scenarios, enterprises often use cryptographic erase for rapid, compliant data destruction when drives are repurposed or returned under lease agreements.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Issue a cryptographic erase command to the drive's self-encrypting feature. — Option C is correct because the server's hard drives are self-encrypting drives (SEDs) that support the TCG Opal or IEEE 1667 standard. Issuing a cryptographic erase command (e.g., via hdparm --security-erase or a vendor tool) instantly invalidates the media encryption key, rendering all data on the drive permanently inaccessible without physically damaging the drive. This meets the requirement of destroying the encrypted customer financial data while preserving the drives for reuse in test environments.
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.
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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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