Does Degaussing Work On SSDs?

This article provides an in-depth insight into why degaussing is not an effective approach to data destruction on Solid-State Drives (SSDs). Read on to learn the concept of degaussing, the way it destroys data, the main types of degaussers, and what are the different approaches to permanently wipe off data from an SSD.

The short answer is no, degaussing doesn’t work on an SSD. Degaussing is a popular and effective data removal method that gives guaranteed results when used on hard drives. Why does it not work on SSDs? What are the alternatives to data degaussing for SSDs? We will now explore the reasons in detail and explore the different approaches that can effectively wipe SSDs.

Data is the most important asset for businesses today. In the wrong hands, however, data can be really destructive. To avoid data breaches and to stay compliant with data protection laws, business organizations are obligated to ensure data is destroyed completely and in a legally-compliant manner. Especially when storage devices like SSDs, hard drives, etc. change hands it is important to permanently delete the data stored on the device in a manner that renders the data absolutely irrecoverable. 

What is Degaussing?

Degaussing is a permanent and legally-compliant data destruction technique that is often used by business organizations. Degaussing is the technique of demagnetizing magnetic storage media devices such as tapes, floppy disks, and hard drives. 

How Does Degaussing Work?

In the process of degaussing, a strong reverse magnetizing field is generated using a device called a degausser. This magnetic field neutralizes the magnetic field orientation of the storage media that is being degaussed.  This renders the data on the storage device unreadable and irretrievable. Though degaussing is generally considered extremely effective, its efficacy depends on the magnetic field strength of the degausser in comparison with that of the media device that it is degaussing. In general, if the degausser has two to three times the coercivity of the magnetic media device, it is considered to be effective. 

Types of Degaussers

Based on the different ways the magnetic field is generated, there are three types of degaussing devices including:

• Coil degausser
• Capacitive discharge degausser
• Permanent magnet degausser

You can read in detail about degaussing, the various types of degaussers, their comparison and more here.

Can Degaussing Be Used to Remove Data from SSDs?

Simply stated degaussing will NOT work to remove data from a Solid State Drive (SSD). The reason lies in the way data is stored on the device. Just like the name suggests, SSDs do not have any moving parts. Instead, SSDs store data on a series of NAND chips. These NAND chips retain their charge even in the absence of a power source. This method of data storage is different when compared to hard disk drives (HDD). HDDs store data on a series of spinning magnetic platters. Thus, degaussing, using a magnetic field, works on devices that depend on magnetic data storage. For non-magnetic data storage devices, like SSDs, degaussing is an ineffective method of data removal.  Degaussing using traditional degaussers is also unlikely to yield fruitful results in the case of new-age magnetic storage devices which come with higher coercivity. Finding degaussing devices with coercivity higher than such storage devices is a technical challenge.

Other Limitations of Degaussing as a Method of Data Removal

SSDs are non-magnetic storage devices due to which degaussing does not work effectively on them. However, there are certain other limitations of degaussing too which make it an unwanted method of data removal.

A few of those limitations are discussed below:

• Degaussing is unsuitable for sanitizing flash media devices

  Degaussing cannot be used to remove data from FLASH NAND technology-based electronic chips. Thus, organizations willing to use degaussing to sanitize USB drives, and flash memory cards would also get ineffective results as with the case of SSDs.

• Degaussing leaves the storage media device unusable

  Degaussing permanently removes data from a storage device by demagnetizing it. While this definitely does the job as intended, it also leaves the device unusable. As the magnetic field of the storage media device is completely neutralized it also makes the device unable to store any more data. Thus, if you want to transfer the device to another user, store new data on it, or sell the device, degaussing is not the suitable method of wiping a storage media.

• Degaussing is a costly method of data removal 

  NSA EPL-listed degaussers come at a starting cost of $18,000. For business organizations, especially small and medium businesses, this can be a hefty investment. Furthermore, based on the type of device that has to be degaussed, different types of degaussers are required. Thus, a lot of investment in fixed assets has to be done before an organization can use degaussing as a valid method of data sanitization. For geographically spread out organizations, the cost burden is even heftier as they’d need to invest in degaussers for all their locations.

• Degaussing is not an environmentally-friendly method of data sanitization

  20-50 million metric tonnes of toxic e-waste are disposed of worldwide, each year. A significant proportion of this e-waste includes storage media devices rendered useless by improper media sanitation techniques like degaussing. Devices that have not reached the end of their useful life also become unusable once they are degaussed as their magnetic field is neutralized and they cannot store new data.

Alternatives to Degaussing for Wiping an SSD

SSDs are a much-preferred storage device choice for many organizations because they are faster, more durable, and consume significantly less power. Especially so, when compared to hard disk drives. When SDDs are so widely in use, it is also important for organizations to understand what are the viable methods of SSD data sanitization. As we have already discussed, degaussing SSD drives is an ineffective technique. So here are some alternatives worth considering.

• Physically Destroying The SSD

  By physically destroying an SSD, business organizations can meet the data protection norms as it renders data irrecoverable. However, SSDs are designed and built in such a way that merely drilling holes in the device can still leave some data vulnerable. Thus, it is important to hammer the entire SSD so that the memory chips inside it are thoroughly destroyed.  Disintegrating, shredding, or burning are some other methods of physically destroying devices in a bid to ensure data removal. 

  As for the good part of physical destruction, it makes sure no one can ever recover the data that the SSD had by any means. Hammering SSDs can also be done using a hammer or other household tools and thus is a practically free-of-cost solution. But it also means that your organization is now left with one less SSD storage device. There is also a risk of the data being recovered if the device is not destroyed or disposed of properly. 

  The biggest disadvantage, however, of physical destruction as an alternative to degaussing for SSD data sanitization is that it is unsustainable and not eco-friendly. The destroyed device contributes to harmful electronic waste. And organizations have to invest in new storage devices to replace the ones that they destroyed. 

• Using A Data Erasure Software

  Data erasure is a method of data sanitization that uses a software-based solution to overwrite a storage device. By writing a non-sensitive binary pattern over the sensitive data in a storage device, data erasure makes the data irrecoverable. Data erasure can be used as a viable method of data sanitization for magnetic and flash-based storage devices. This is because the process simply overwrites the sensitive data. Thus, it is suitable for all devices including hard drives, floppy disk drives, SSDs, and even flash memory cards. 

  Also, as data erasure does not physically harm the device, organizations and individuals can reuse the device as well as re-sell it in the open market. This keeps the monetary and usage value of the device intact. Consequently, it reduces the amount of e-waste that is generated by promoting the reuse of existing storage media devices. 

In the Nutshell

Degaussing is a technique of demagnetizing magnetic storage media, which affects HDD and other tape media that requires a magnetic field to store data within its binary code. However, SSDs with NAND chips cannot be effectively wiped with degaussing. The best approach available today to wipe an SSD is through software-based data sanitization as it is both environment-friendly and compliant with global data protection norms. All-in-all, data erasure using a reliable software solution, like BitRaser, can help organizations stay compliant with data protection as well as e-waste-related laws. It also is more cost-effective as the software can be used across geographical boundaries and for all types of storage media. 

You may read our article on Data Destruction Techniques for a quick comparison between overwriting, degaussing, and physical destruction.

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