NIST 800-88

Last updated: 4 April 2026

NIST 800-88 refers to the US National Institute of Standards and Technology's guidelines for securely erasing data from electronic media.

Last reviewed by Marcus Williams on 23 March 2026

Published in 2006 with an updated version released in 2014, NIST Special Publication 800-88 provides a framework for destroying or sanitising data on hard drives, solid-state drives, tapes, CDs, DVDs, and other storage devices. The document outlines three levels of sanitisation: Clear, Purge, and Destroy.

Clearing involves overwriting data so that it can't be retrieved with normal means but could still be recovered with advanced techniques. For example, software tools can overwrite hard drive sectors to meet this standard. Purging goes further by using stronger methods like degaussing (exposing the media to a powerful magnetic field) or cryptographic erasure, which renders data unrecoverable even by sophisticated attackers. Destroying is the most extreme form of sanitisation and involves physically destroying the storage device so that any trace of data on it can no longer be recovered. This could mean shredding a hard drive into tiny pieces or melting down discs.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, only 22.3% of e-waste was properly collected and recycled in 2022.

This standard matters because businesses often have sensitive information such as client details, financial records, and proprietary research stored electronically. When disposing of old computers or servers. Organizations must ensure this data is securely removed to prevent identity theft, corporate espionage, or legal liabilities. Consumers also need to protect their personal information when getting rid of outdated devices like smartphones and laptops.

When dealing with e-waste, it's important not only to follow NIST 800-88 but also to consider other regulations like the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) or state-specific laws in California. According to a report by the Global E-Waste Monitor, over 53 million metric tonnes of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2019, highlighting the need for proper disposal practices.

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