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Degaussing

What is Degaussing?

The process of eliminating data from magnetic storage media by exposing it to a strong magnetic field, rendering the data unrecoverable.

Information Security

Terms that appear alongside degaussing

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as degaussing. The number is how many controls name both.

Frameworks that govern degaussing

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0View framework →CIS Controls v8View framework →

What the standards actually require on degaussing

Requirements naming degaussing across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

NIST SP 800-88 Rev 13 controls

Degaussing exposes magnetic media to a strong magnetic field, rendering it unreadable. The degausser must be rated for the media coercivity. Degaussing renders most drives non-functional and does not work on SSDs or flash.

MS-PURGE-6 · Degaussing of Magnetic Media →
Australian Information Security Manual1 control

Following the use of a degausser, magnetic media is physically damaged by deforming any internal platters.

ISM-1641 · Physical damage to media after degaussing →
FFIEC IT Examination Handbook2 controls

The institution has disposal procedures for paper and electronic information with a single accountable owner, prohibits discarding sensitive paper with ordinary refuse, shreds on site or uses vetted disposal services under contracts that set acceptable procedu...

ffiec-it-examination-handbook::IS-II.C.13(c) · II.C.13(c) Disposal of Information (Information Security) →
FBI CJIS Security Policy1 control

Sanitise or destroy digital media before disposal, release from agency control or reuse by overwriting at least three times or degaussing, destroy inoperable digital media, dispose of non-digital media securely when no longer needed for investigative or securi...

fbi-cjis-security-policy::MP-6 · MP-6 Media Sanitization →
IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1)1 control

NSS-17 + NSS-42-G require physical protection + lifecycle management + safety/EP integration. Physical protection of CBS: equipment in secure compartments + control rooms + protected areas per CSL (CSL 1 in Vital Area or Inner Area per physical protection);

IAEA-NSS17-Physical-Lifecycle-Decommissioning-Safety-Emergency · IAEA NSS-17 - Physical Protection of Computer Systems + Lifecycle + Decommissioning + Safety + Emergency Preparedness Interface →
IRS Publication 10751 control

Sections 9.1-9.2 of IRS Publication 1075 establish FTI-specific requirements that are NOT covered by NIST SP 800-53 but are specific to the IRS FTI protection regime.

IRSPub1075-Section91-92-FTI-Specific-Recordkeeping-Disclosure-Transmission-Restriction-MinSafeguards · IRS Publication 1075 Sections 9.1-9.2 + FTI-Specific Requirements + Recordkeeping + Disclosure Restrictions + Transmission Requirements + Minimum Protection Standards + Printing + Inventory + Destruction →

Questions people ask about degaussing

What is Degaussing?
The process of eliminating data from magnetic storage media by exposing it to a strong magnetic field, rendering the data unrecoverable.
Why is Degaussing important for compliance?
Degaussing is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding degaussing helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Degaussing?
Degaussing appears in the requirement text of NIST SP 800-88 Rev 1, Australian Information Security Manual, FFIEC IT Examination Handbook, FBI CJIS Security Policy, IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1). Across these standards we have identified 9 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Degaussing?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how degaussing applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 1,016 frameworks.

See how Degaussing applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.