easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CCSP Physical destruction Practice Question
A cloud customer is decommissioning a storage service that contains sensitive data. The cloud provider offers several data destruction options. Which method provides the HIGHEST assurance that data is irrecoverable?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that many candidates assume cryptographic erasure is the best method because it is fast and effective, but the question asks for the HIGHEST assurance. The highest assurance is always physical destruction, even though it may not be the most practical for all scenarios.
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
✓
Physical shredding of the storage drives
(Physical shredding of the storage drives) is correct because physical destruction renders the storage media completely unusable and data irrecoverable by any means. Option A (Degaussing) is only effective on magnetic media and not on SSDs, and some residual data may remain. Option C (Multiple overwrite passes) can leave residual data due to physical characteristics of the media and is not guaranteed to be irrecoverable. Option D (Cryptographic erasure) is effective only if the encryption keys are securely destroyed, but if the keys are compromised or not fully erased, data may still be recoverable. Therefore, physical shredding provides the highest assurance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Degaussing the storage media
Why it's wrong here
Not effective for SSDs.
- ✓
Physical shredding of the storage drives
Why this is correct
Guarantees data is irrecoverable.
- ✗
Multiple overwrite passes with zeros and ones
Why it's wrong here
Not always effective for modern drives.
- ✗
Cryptographic erasure of encryption keys
Why it's wrong here
Depends on key destruction and may leave encrypted data.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CCSP exam.