

It universally applies to technology and various other media types - even those that may not have been invented yet. Published in 2006 with multiple updates since, NIST 800–88 picked up where the DoD 5220.22 standard left off. NIST 800–88 refers to the National Institute for Standards and Technology Guidelines for media sanitization.²It is the most updated and recommended level of data destruction in the industry. Most government and regulation/certification programs now cite NIST 800–88 as the recommended standard.³ What is the NIST 800–88 standard for data destruction? The Department of Defense no longer references DoD 5220.22 as a secure method of data erasure.

What is the DoD 5220.22-M standard for data destruction? Let’s take a look at each of these methods and why they matter in today’s mobile device policies and procedures. Two of the most rigorous methods of data destruction are the United States Department of Defense (DoD) standards and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Guidelines for media sanitation. There are many precautions organizations can take to mitigate the likelihood of a data breach, but one of the most critical steps is ensuring the proper destruction of valuable company data from retired corporate-issued devices. In 2020, there were 3,950 confirmed data breaches.⁵

What’s the difference, and why are they important? Why Data Destruction Matters.Įvery 39 seconds, a hacker attacks an individual or organization.⁴
