CGRC Compliance Maintenance Practice Question
When decommissioning an IT asset that stores sensitive information, which of the following is the most important step before releasing the hardware for disposal?
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
✓
Sanitize the storage media according to an approved standard.
Sanitizing the media is the most critical step to prevent unauthorized access to data remaining on the physical hardware.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Sanitize the storage media according to an approved standard.
Why this is correct
Sanitization is the only method to ensure data is permanently removed before the hardware leaves organizational control.
- ✗
Update the asset inventory list.
Why it's wrong here
Updating inventory is a procedural step, but sanitization is a security requirement to prevent data loss.
- ✗
Remove the BIOS password.
Why it's wrong here
This does not prevent access to the data stored on the drives.
- ✗
Format the primary operating system partition.
Why it's wrong here
Formatting is not equivalent to sanitization and leaves data recoverable.
- ✗
Deactivate the user accounts associated with the system.
Why it's wrong here
This does not address the data residing on the storage media.
About these practice questions
One of 199 original CGRC practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official (ISC)² exam blueprint
This CGRC practice question is part of Courseiva's free (ISC)² 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 CGRC exam.