Traditional Security Checklist STIG

Traditional Security Checklist

The Traditional Security Checklist (V2 R10) has 144 STIG checks. New to STIG checklists? Read What is a STIG checklist?, CKL vs CKLB, and STIG vs SCAP benchmark.

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Severity

Version

V2 · R10

CurrentPublished Wed Sep 30 2026

Classified Material Destruction - Improper Disposal of Automated Information System (AIS) Hard Drives and Storage Media

Traditional Security Checklist

Assessment Title

Rule Text

Classified Material Destruction - Improper Disposal of Automated Information System (AIS) Hard Drives and Storage Media

Description

Discussion Text

Failure to properly destroy classified material can lead to the loss or compromise of classified or sensitive information.

REFERENCES:

CJCSI 6510.01F, INFORMATION ASSURANCE (IA) AND SUPPORT TO COMPUTER NETWORK DEFENSE (CND), Enclosure C, paragraphs 21.h.(9); 28; 29b.,d.(1)&(2).h.(1)&(2) and para 34.

NIST Special Publication 800-53 (SP 800-53), Controls: MP-1, MP-6, PE-1.

DODI 8500.01, SUBJECT: Cybersecurity, March 14, 2014, Enclosure 3, paragraph 9.b.(8) & (9)

DOD Manual 5200.01, Volume 3, SUBJECT: DOD Information Security Program: Protection of Classified Information: Enclosure 2, paragraph 14 & 14(d); Enclosure 3 paragraphs 17, 18, & 19; Enclosure 5, paragraph 3.d.(3); Enclosure 7, paragraph 6.

32 CFR 117 and 32 CFR 2001 and 2003 as well as DOD Manual 5220.32 Volume 1

NIST SP 800-88, Guidelines for Media Sanitization

NSA/CSA Policy Manual 9-12, NSA/CSS Storage Device Declassification Manual

NSA/CSS product lists for sanitization, destroying or disposing of various types of media containing sensitive or classified information:

https://www.nsa.gov/Resources/Media-Destruction-Guidance

New to STIG checklists? Read What is a STIG checklist? and CKL vs CKLB.

Objective

V-245837

Rule

SV-245837r1273436_rule

Severity

high

Rule Version

IS-11.01.02

Documentable

false

IA Controls

NIST SP 800-53

Rev 5

Assessment Procedure

Check Text

For CLASSIFIED automated information system (AIS) data processing and/or storage equipment such as hard drives and media:

Check to ensure data processing or storage devices are properly sanitized (purged of all classified data so that recovery using known laboratory attack is not possible) in accordance with current NSA guidance before such equipment or media is disposed of or placed in use (and/or stored) in a lower classification environment or an unclassified environment. 

NOTE 1: Clearing procedures using overwrite software is not sufficient to dispose of classified equipment or media (for instance by release to property disposal, vendors, or placement in trash) or to re-use it in an unclassified or lesser classification environment other than its original classification level. Clearing will only enable the equipment or media to be re-used within the original classified environment. 

NOTE 2: NSA guidance can be found in the NSA/CSA Policy Manual 9-12, NSA/CSS Storage Device Declassification Manual. Be certain to also read and apply specific guidance for the DoW from Enclosure 3 and Enclosure 7 of Volume 3 of DOD Manual 5200.01. Important excerpts from this guidance pertaining to disposal of classified equipment and storage media follow:

Classified IT storage media (e.g., hard drives) cannot be declassified by overwriting.

Sanitization (which may destroy the usefulness of the media) or physical destruction is required for disposal.

NOTE 3: The specific methods and procedures for sanitization of classified hard drives or storage media differ depending on sensitivity of data, type of hard drive or storage media (magnetic, solid state, etc...) and ownership of the hard drive or storage media. To ensure DoW information is not inadvertently disclosed to unauthorized individuals, the activity security manager should coordinate with the local Authorizing Official (AO) and/or IT staff to ensure local procedures for disposal of computer hard drives appropriately address removal of U.S. Government data prior to disposal.

TACTICAL ENVIRONMENT: Applies in all environments whenever classified documents or materials are to be destroyed.

Implementation Procedure

Fix Text

For CLASSIFIED automated information system (AIS) data processing and/or storage equipment such as hard drives and media:

CLASSIFIED automated information system (AIS) data processing/storage devices such as system hard drives and media must be properly sanitized using approved NSA guidelines (purged of all classified data so that recovery using known laboratory attack is not possible) before such equipment or media is disposed of or placed in use (and/or stored) in a lower classification environment or an unclassified environment. 

NOTE 1: Clearing procedures using overwrite software is not sufficient to dispose of classified equipment or media (for instance by release to property disposal, vendors, or placement in trash) or to re-use it in an unclassified or lesser classification environment other than its original classification level. Clearing will only enable the equipment or media to be re-used within the original classified environment. 

NOTE 2: NSA guidance for classified equipment can be found in the NSA/CSA Policy Manual 9-12, NSA/CSS Storage Device Declassification Manual. Sanitization and disposal must also be IAW Enclosure 3 and Enclosure 7 of Volume 3 of DOD Manual 5200.01, which provides additional clarifying guidance for the DoW. Some important excerpts from this guidance pertaining to classified equipment and storage media follows:
Classified IT storage media (e.g., hard drives) cannot be declassified by overwriting.
Sanitization (which may destroy the usefulness of the media) or physical destruction is required for disposal.

NOTE 3: The specific methods and procedures for sanitization of classified hard drives or storage media differ depending on sensitivity of data, type of hard drive or storage media (magnetic, solid state, etc...) and ownership of the hard drive or storage media. To ensure DoW information is not inadvertently disclosed to unauthorized individuals, the activity security manager should coordinate with the local Authorizing Official (AO) and/or IT staff to ensure local procedures for disposal of computer hard drives appropriately address removal of U.S. Government data prior to disposal.

STIG check 112 of 144 in the Traditional Security Checklist STIG checklist

← Previous · V-245836Destruction of Classified Documents Printed from the SIPRNet Using Approved Devices on NSA Evaluated Products Lists (EPL).Next · V-245838 →Classified Destruction - Hard Drive and Storage Media Sanitization Devices and Plans are not Available for disposal of Automated Information System (AIS) Equipment On-Hand