Portable data storage medium that can be added to or removed from a computing device or network. Note: Examples include, but are not limited to: optical discs (CD, DVD, Blu-ray); external / removable hard drives; external / removable Solid State Disk (SSD) drives; magnetic / optical tapes; flash memory devices (USB, eSATA, Flash Drive, Thumb Drive); flash memory cards (Secure Digital, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, MMC, xD); and other external / removable disks (floppy, Zip, Jaz, Bernoulli, UMD). See also portable storage device.
What is removable media?
The term Removable Media refers to portable storage or data media that can be removed from a device, such as USB drives, memory cards, external drives, optical discs, or similar media. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How is removable media used in cybersecurity?
In practice, Removable Media is applied to the technical or security purpose captured by its definition: portable storage or data media that can be removed from a device. Organizations combine that function with documented procedures, authorized access, testing, monitoring, and controls appropriate to the system. The governing standard or security policy determines the exact implementation.
Why does removable media matter for election security?
Understanding Removable Media matters because the concept can affect security, reliability, auditability, or trusted operation. In this glossary context, it refers to portable storage or data media that can be removed from a device. Applying the term precisely helps teams choose controls that match the actual technical function instead of assuming a broader or unrelated meaning.
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Portable data storage medium that can be added to or removed from a computing device or network. Note: Examples include, but are not limited to: optical discs (CD, DVD, Blu-ray); external / removable hard drives; external / removable Solid State Disk (SSD) drives; magnetic / optical tapes; flash memory devices (USB, eSATA, Flash Drive, Thumb Drive); flash memory cards (Secure Digital, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, MMC, xD); and other external / removable disks (floppy, Zip, Jaz, Bernoulli, UMD). See also portable storage device.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Removable Media. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 21, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/removable-media
Sources
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High consensus
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Disputed
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