American Department of Defense 5220.22-M standard wipe?

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Anonymous

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How is the DBAN implementation of DOD 5220.22-M actually done?
As I understand it after reading the US Department of Defense 5220.22-M Clearing and Sanitization Matrix, there are three methods listed for overwriting data on a harddisk.
DOD 5220.22-M c: Overwrite all addressable locations with a single character, 1 pass.
DOD 5220.22-M d: Overwrite all addressable locations with a character, its complement, then a random character and verify, 3 passes + verify on last pass.
DOD 5220.22-M e: Overwrite all addressable locations with a character, its complement, then a random character, 3 passes.

Since the DBAN implementation of DOD 5220.22-M uses 7 passes +verify on the last pass one could guess that this might be the combination of DOD 5220.22-M e + DOD 5220.22-M c + DOD 5220.22-M d.
Is this right?
If so, DBAN is clearly exceeding the demands of DOD 5220.22-M - and a wiping alternative that corresponds to DOD 5220.22-M d or e should be added for those who just need DOD 5220.22-M compliance (to save time).

Have got it wrong?
 
How is the DBAN implementation of DOD 5220.22-M actually done?

It is the same algorithm as is in the Heidi Eraser product.

Since the DBAN implementation of DOD 5220.22-M uses 7 passes +verify on the last pass one could guess that this might be the combination of DOD 5220.22-M e + DOD 5220.22-M c + DOD 5220.22-M d.
Is this right?

Yes, correct.

If so, DBAN is clearly exceeding the demands of DOD 5220.22-M - and a wiping alternative that corresponds to DOD 5220.22-M d or e should be added for those who just need DOD 5220.22-M compliance (to save time).

The latest beta has a short 3-pass variant of the DoD wipe.

DBAN uses the long method because I wanted DBAN to have parity with competing products.


Have got it wrong?

No.
 
Hello,

Which method does the short wipe use: DOD 5220.22-M d, as in the standard stated or DOD 5220.22-M e? If DOD 5220.22-M d is used how is the verify process realized?

Which method sequence does the long wipe use: DOD 5220.22-M c,d,e or an other?
 
I must check the documentation before I can answer this question. It might be faster for you to read the source code.
 
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