(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

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What is degaussing commonly used for?

  1. To erase data on magnetic media

  2. To compress large files for storage

  3. To scan for malware

  4. To enhance data recovery

The correct answer is: To erase data on magnetic media

Degaussing is a process that involves reducing or eliminating a magnetic field, which is particularly effective for erasing data stored on magnetic media, such as hard drives and tapes. When a magnetic medium is degaussed, the magnetic fields that represent the stored data are disrupted, rendering the information irretrievable. This method is often used as a data destruction technique in environments where sensitive or classified information needs to be securely disposed of. In contrast, the other options do not accurately define the primary function of degaussing. Compressing files pertains to reducing file size for storage efficiency, which does not involve the manipulation of magnetic fields. Scanning for malware involves using software to detect and mitigate harmful files or programs, which is unrelated to the physical properties of magnetic media. Lastly, enhancing data recovery refers to methods used to restore lost or corrupted data, rather than techniques aimed at securely erasing it. Therefore, the primary and correct use of degaussing is to effectively erase data on magnetic media.