NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2
Data Erasure Software
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-88 is the US government guidance on media sanitization. WipeCert runs the Clear or Purge method each drive supports and signs a certificate for every device.
How WipeCert maps to NIST 800-88
NIST 800-88 asks for three things: sanitize the media, check the result, and record it on a certificate. WipeCert sanitizes each drive, records how the result was checked, and signs the record. Keep the validation decision Rev. 2 adds, and the title and location of the person who ran the wipe, in your own records alongside the certificate.
Clear and Purge
WipeCert performs the Clear and Purge methods of NIST SP 800-88. If the drive's controller accepts a device sanitize or cryptographic erase command, WipeCert uses it (Purge). If not, it overwrites the full drive from the host (Clear). WipeCert does not perform Destroy.
Detailed Certificates
Every successful wipe generates a detailed certificate containing the device serial number, drive model, operator, timestamp, and the method and technique used.
Signed Certificates
Certificates are digitally signed with industry-standard cryptography. Anyone, including your auditor, can scan the QR code on a certificate and check it on the public verification page.
Verification
NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 (Sec. 4.5) asks you to confirm the technique completed without errors, then decide whether to accept the result. WipeCert records the completion status the drive or tool reported, and any read-back check it ran. The accept or reject decision stays with your team.
A certificate for every drive
NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 (Sec. 4.6) recommends a certificate of sanitization for each piece of media sanitized. WipeCert generates a tamper-evident, digitally signed PDF record for each drive.
- Manufacturer, model, and serial number
- Sanitization method used (Clear/Purge)
- Verification status and sector count
- Operator ID and cryptographic signature
Certificate of Erasure
NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2