Secure Erase

Primary definition

An overwrite technology using firmware-based process to overwrite a hard drive. Is a drive command defined in the ANSI ATA and SCSI disk drive interface specifications, which runs inside drive hardware. It completes in about 1/8 the time of 5220 block erasure. (SP 800-88) (NISTIR)

Also known asATA Secure Erase · SCSI Secure Erase · Firmware-Based Erase · Drive-Level Erase · Hardware-Based Erase
1 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 10, 2026
The Cyber GlossaryView source

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TCG

An overwrite technology using firmware-based process to overwrite a hard drive. Is a drive command defined in the ANSI ATA and SCSI disk drive interface specifications, which runs inside drive hardware. It completes in about 1/8 the time of 5220 block erasure. (SP 800-88) (NISTIR)

The Cyber Glossary · 2024

Cite this term

Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Secure Erase. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/secure-erase

Sources

1 cited · last checked Aug 10, 2026

01

The Cyber Glossary
The Cyber Glossary

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