Complete Data Erasure
When it comes to LTO and 3592 tape media, simply overwriting data isn’t enough to guarantee security. True data erasure requires the complete removal of all recorded signals—including the FID (Format Identification Data set), the very first record written to the tape.
Our Advantage: Full FID Rewriting & Total Signal Removal
At DES Technologies, we use proprietary Phoenix Certified technology capable of:
Deleting every record, including the FID
Rewriting a fresh FID, making the tape fully functional and blank
Ensuring compatibility with all LTO and 3592 cartridges—new or previously recorded
Unlike standard drives (like the IBM TS1120, TS1130, or TS1140), which do not rewrite the FID on previously used tapes, our system guarantees a truly clean slate every time.
What is the FID?
The FID is written by the tape drive when the cartridge is used for the first time. It doesn’t contain user data but includes essential format information. Most tape drives refuse to write to a tape if the FID is missing. However, because of the serpentine nature of tape recording, user data can still be present in tracks parallel to the FID.
Starting an erase process after the FID leaves those tracks—and your sensitive data—intact. And while recovery isn’t simple, it’s possible for those with the right tools.
Powerful Magnetic Signal Erasure
Even if data is overwritten using the same type of drive that originally recorded it, residual traces can remain. With advanced recovery techniques, some of this data could be accessed.
Our Phoenix Certified equipment goes further. It uses extremely powerful magnetic fields, far stronger than any commercial tape drive’s write head, to:
✅ Penetrate deep into the magnetic layer
✅ Completely eliminate residual data
✅ Prevent any form of data recovery
If your organization requires absolute data security, simply overwriting isn’t enough. Only a full-spectrum erase that removes all records and residual signals can guarantee peace of mind—and that’s exactly what our Phenix Certified solution delivers.