Sanitize and Secure Erase are both methods for wiping a disk to ensure data safety. However, they don’t fit every situation: sometimes you may need Secure Erase to save time; other times you may want to prioritize data security by using Sanitize to erase the mapping table and target disk blocks. For example, if you are selling your laptop or giving away an old SSD, using Sanitize can help make sure your confidential information is permanently erased. If you are simply repurposing a drive for another work project and need to clear the data quickly, Secure Erase might be the better choice. To help you choose the right option, this article explains both Sanitize and Secure Erase and the difference between them.

What Is Sanitize

Sanitize is a tool that permanently destroys all user data on the SSD, including the mapping table and blocks on the chosen SSD.

What Is Secure Erase

Secure Erase is a tool that wipes out all user data on the chosen SSD, including the mapping table. However, it does not delete all blocks, so it takes much less time. Though it sounds like Sanitize, there are profound differences between Sanitize and Secure Erase.

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How Are Sanitize and Secure Erase Different

While the primary difference between Sanitize and Secure Erase is that Sanitize deletes both the mapping table and all blocks, Secure Erase removes only the mapping table and leaves the blocks that have been written. Apart from this, Sanitize and Secure Erase differ from each other in:

• Speed: Secure Erase is faster than Sanitize, as Secure Erase deletes only the mapping table and Sanitize deletes both the mapping table and blocks.
• SSD support: Almost all SSDs support Secure Erase, but not every SSD supports Sanitize. To verify which options your SSD supports, check the manufacturer’s documentation or look in the SSD dashboard software for available erase features. Some SSDs will display Sanitize or Secure Erase as options in their tools section, while others may list only one. If you are unsure, contacting the manufacturer’s support or reviewing their website can help you confirm compatibility.
• Deletion methods: Sanitize erases user data; Secure Erase changes some SSD configuration parameters, mainly through formatting, and deletes the data while changing these parameters.

How to Perform Sanitize or Secure Erase

Before you begin, make sure to back up any important data from your SSD. Both Sanitize and Secure Erase are permanent actions and will irreversibly wipe all data on the drive. You can easily Sanitize or Secure Erase your SSD. Here is how.

Performing Sanitize on SSD (for example, SanDisk SSD)

• First, open the SSD dashboard on your PC.
• Next, select Select drive in the upper-right corner to open the drop-down menu.
• From the menu that appears, choose the SSD that you plan to delete all data permanently from.
• Navigate to the Tools
• Click Erase Now next to Sanitize to wipe all user data and then leave the drive unformatted.

Performing Secure Erase on SSD (for example, SanDisk SSD)

• Open the SSD dashboard on your computer.
• Click Select drive and then choose the SSD from which you want to delete the data permanently from the drop-down that appears.
• Navigate to the Tools
• Lastly, click the Erase Now button present next to Secure Erase.

While both Sanitize and Secure Erase are easy to perform, choosing one requires careful consideration of a few essential factors.

Should You Choose Sanitize or Secure Erase

Not every manufacturer includes a Sanitize option, so Secure Erase may be your only choice. However, when both Sanitize and Secure Erase options are available, consider:

• Whether you have time; Sanitize takes longer than Secure Erase to wipe data completely. If you have time and want greater security, choose Sanitize; if you are short on time, choose Secure Erase.
• Level of security: Sanitize erases both blocks on the target disk and the mapping table, making it safer than Secure Erase. Hence, if you need maximum security for sensitive data, choose Sanitize.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is Secure Erase bad for an SSD?

No, Secure Erase is not necessarily bad for an SSD. Modern SSDs are equipped to handle Secure Erase well.

Q2. Does Sanitize work on hard drives?

Yes, Sanitize works on hard drives to make data permanently unrecoverable.

Q3. Why is my drive not accepting a Secure Erase command?

The drive will not accept a Secure Erase command if it is in a frozen security state when starting up or connected via an adapter that blocks the Secure Erase. To fix the issue, connect the drive directly and start the PC from a bootable tool.

Hopefully, this clears up any doubts about Sanitize and Secure Erase and the differences between them. If any confusion persists, leave us a comment.