36C10E19Q0003-001.docx

Appendix A. VA Handbook 6500.1 6 (d). Destroying:

1. Destruction of media is the ultimate form of sanitization. After media are destroyed, they cannot be reused as originally intended. Physical destruction can be accomplished using a variety of methods including disintegration, incineration, pulverizing, shredding, and melting.

2. If destruction is decided upon, due to the high security categorization of the information or due to environmental factors, any residual medium must be able to withstand a laboratory attack. The following are destruction methods:

(a) Disintegration, Incineration, Pulverization, and Melting: These sanitization methods are designed to completely destroy media. These methods are typically carried out at an outsourced metal destruction or incineration facility with the specific capabilities to perform these activities effectively, securely, and safely.

(b) Shredding: Paper shredders may be used to destroy flexible media, such as diskettes, once the media are physically removed from their outer containers. The shred size of the refuse must be small enough so there is reasonable assurance, in proportion to the data confidentiality level, that the information cannot be reconstructed.

(c) Optical mass storage media, including compact disks (CD, CD_R, CD-RW, and CD-ROM), DVDs, and magneto optic (MO) disks must be destroyed by pulverizing, crosscut shredding or burning. When material is disintegrated or shredded, Refer to VA Directive 6371 for shredding requirement