Degausse Verification Tests

[ddrecovery]

Is there any way to verify that degaussing has been successful (I presume there is a test after the initial degaussing but apart from that). I presume the SA and all relevant data has been removed as well, so using a utility like PC-3000 will not work.

[digitalferret]

In general, with degaussing, all data on magnetic media are (supposed to be) erased.
For yourself, don't put your name to anything you haven't tested yourself.
Assume / presume nothing.
Errors can and will creep in at any and every stage of a process both by accident and with purpose.
Time is money and, sometimes, folks say they have done a job when in fact they haven't.

I can almost see the guy setting up shop with a neodymium magnet, offering to erase drives.

"but it's a reputable company, surely they wouldn't say things......" oh really?

Even when lives are on the line, and at national security level .....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22266051

<snip> The fake bomb detectors were based on a $20 golf ball finder, pictured between two examples of xxxxxx's fake devices ... said to have made £50m from sales and sold more than 6,000 in Iraq, the Old Bailey heard.

[ddrecovery]

In general, with degaussing, all data on magnetic media are (supposed to be) erased.
For yourself, don't put your name to anything you haven't tested yourself.
Assume / presume nothing.
Errors can and will creep in at any and every stage of a process both by accident and with purpose.
Time is money and, sometimes, folks say they have done a job when in fact they haven't.

I can almost see the guy setting up shop with a neodymium magnet, offering to erase drives.

"but it's a reputable company, surely they wouldn't say things......" oh really?

Even when lives are on the line, and at national security level .....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22266051

<snip> The fake bomb detectors were based on a $20 golf ball finder, pictured between two examples of xxxxxx's fake devices ... said to have made £50m from sales and sold more than 6,000 in Iraq, the Old Bailey heard.

Thanks for the response. My guy is pretty serious and has invested in a Garner HD-2 Degausser. He just wanted a second opinion if the drives had been correctly wiped, so he does seem genuine.

[digitalferret]

second opinions... test and verify.