Cryptographic Erase Technique

A Cryptographic Erase Technique is a key-destruction-based data sanitization technique that renders encrypted data inaccessible by destroying encryption keys.

• AKA: Crypto-Erase, Cryptographic Sanitization Technique, Encryption Key Destruction Technique, Key-Based Erasure Technique, Cryptographic Data Elimination Technique.
• Context:
  • It can typically destroy Cryptographic Encryption Keys to achieve instantaneous cryptographic data sanitization.
  • It can typically require Full Disk Encryption Systems or volume-level encryption systems as prerequisites.
  • It can typically complete Cryptographic Erase Operations in seconds versus hours for overwrite-based techniques.
  • It can often meet NIST SP 800-88 Purge Level requirements for cryptographic media sanitization.
  • It can often utilize FIPS 140-Validated Cryptographic Modules for cryptographic key destruction.
  • It can range from being a Software Cryptographic Erase Technique to being a Hardware Cryptographic Erase Technique, depending on its cryptographic erase implementation layer.
  • It can range from being a Single-Key Cryptographic Erase Technique to being a Hierarchical-Key Cryptographic Erase Technique, depending on its cryptographic key structure.
  • It can range from being a Proprietary Cryptographic Erase Technique to being a Standardized Cryptographic Erase Technique, depending on its cryptographic protocol compliance.
  • It can range from being a Selective Cryptographic Erase Technique to being a Complete Cryptographic Erase Technique, depending on its cryptographic erase scope.
  • It can integrate with Trusted Platform Modules for secure cryptographic key storage.
  • It can support Rapid Data Sanitization Tasks in time-critical sanitization scenarios.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Cryptographic Erase Implementations, such as:
    • Self-Encrypting Drive Cryptographic Erase, such as:
      • Opal-Compliant SED Cryptographic Erase for TCG Opal standard compliance.
      • Enterprise SED Cryptographic Erase for data center deployment.
    • Software-Based Cryptographic Erase for operating system encryption.
    • Cloud Storage Cryptographic Erase for cloud-based data sanitization.
  • Cryptographic Erase Standards, such as:
    • FIPS 140-2 Compliant Cryptographic Erase for federal security compliance.
    • Common Criteria Certified Cryptographic Erase for international security certification.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Data Overwrite Technique, which replaces data patterns rather than destroying encryption keys.
  • Degaussing Technique, which disrupts magnetic fields rather than using cryptographic methods.
  • Physical Shredding Technique, which destroys storage media rather than cryptographic keys.
• See: Data Sanitization Technique, Cryptographic Key Management System, Encryption Technology, Media Sanitization Process, NIST SP 800-88 Guideline, Secure Erase Command, Self-Encrypting Drive, FIPS 140 Standard, Data Protection Method, Information Security Technique.

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