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Government Users

We are listed on the National Security Agency’s (NSA) approved degausser products list. This means that Data Security can help you select the proper degausser for your purpose and also help you comply with the NSA regulations.

The National Security Agency Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) Policy Manual provides guidance for clearing, sanitization, declassification, and release of information on information systems storage devices.

The following Magnetic Storage Device Procedures are taken from the NSA/CSS Policy Manual 9-12:

REEL AND CASSETT FORMAT MAGNETIC TAPES

Sanitization: Sanitize magnetic tapes in accordance with either of the following procedures. Remove all labels or markings that indicate previous use or classification.

Degaussing: Degauss using a NSA/CSS approved degausser.

Magnetic Disks: Magnetic disks include hard disk drives, floppy disks, diskettes, and disk packs.

HARD DISK DRIVES

Sanitization: Sanitize hard disk drives by either erasing the hard disk drive in a NSA/CSS approved automatic degausser, by disassembling the hard disk drive and erasing the enclosed platters with a NSA/CSS approved degaussing wand, or incineration. Remove all labels or markings that indicate previous use or classification.

Sanitization With Automatic Degausser: 1) Remove the hard disk drive from the chassis or cabinet; 2) remove any steel shielding materials or mounting brackets which may interfere with magnetic fields; 3) place the hard disk drive in a NSA/CSS approved degausser and erase. NOTE - Erasure of hard disk drives will cause damage (i.e., loss of timing tracks and damage to disk drive motor) that will prohibit its continued use.

Benefits of Data Security Degaussers

  • Meet NSA requirements for sanitization of classified information.
  • Remove data from magnetic media so that no known exploitation method can retrieve data from it.
  • Minimize security risks associated with storing excess classified magnetic storage media.
  • Easily sanitize unclassified media contaminated with classified information.
  • Reduce the amount of administrative procedures required to store and inventory classified information.
  • Easily downgrade classification of classified media.
  • Dispose of classified media quickly and in-house.
  • Save tax payer dollars with replacement of drives under warranty.