Recycling and Repurposing Decisions for A+
Short answer
Make a reuse vs destruction decision by assessing: (1) Data sensitivity - highly sensitive data often requires physical destruction; (2) Device condition - damaged media that cannot be reliably sanitized should be destroyed; (3) Regulatory/environmental constraints - some laws or policies mandate certain disposal methods; (4) Intended recipient - internal reuse vs resale to the public. If reuse is appropriate, use proper wiping/secure erase and verify; if not, choose an approved destruction method and document the action.
Why it appears on the exam
- Given a scenario with device type, data sensitivity, and intended disposition (internal reuse, resale, landfill), choose reuse or destruction and justify. - Identify verification steps required before repurposing a device.
Key concepts
Concept 1
Required terms
reuse-oriented sanitization: Sanitization methods (wiping, secure erase) applied when a device will be repurposed or resold to remove accessible data while allowing functionality to remain. final destruction decision: Choosing physical destruction when the media must not be reused because of sensitivity, damage, or policy requirements. reuse-oriented sanitization: Applying wipes or secure erase so a device can be safely reused. final destruction decision: Opting for physical destruction due to sensitivity, damage, or policy.
Example
Reusing an employee laptop internally after a full secure wipe and lifecycle checks.
Concept 2
How Recycling and Repurposing Decisions works
Make a reuse vs destruction decision by assessing: (1) Data sensitivity - highly sensitive data often requires physical destruction; (2) Device condition - damaged media that cannot be reliably sanitized should be destroyed; (3) Regulatory/environmental constraints - some laws or policies mandate certain disposal methods; (4) Intended recipient - internal reuse vs resale to the public. If reuse is appropriate, use proper wiping/secure erase and verify; if not, choose an approved destruction method and document the action.
Example
Destroying decommissioned drives that held highly sensitive customer information rather than reselling.
Concept 3
Common confusion
- Thinking 'recycling' always means physical destruction; recycling can mean safe reuse or component recycling depending on policy. - Assuming a device in poor physical condition can be sanitized; often a damaged drive should be destroyed.
Example
Sending drives to recycling after verifying they have been sanitized and documenting the process.
Concept 4
Core 2 (220-1202) question cues
Given a scenario with device type, data sensitivity, and intended disposition (internal reuse, resale, landfill), choose reuse or destruction and justify; Identify verification steps required before repurposing a device.
Example
Reusing an employee laptop internally after a full secure wipe and lifecycle checks.
Sample questions
Select an answer to reveal the explanation. For tracked practice and weak-area review, use the Cultiv8 app.
Q1.A technician is troubleshooting this situation: Reusing an employee laptop internally after a full secure wipe and lifecycle checks. What should they identify?
Q2.A support ticket includes this clue: Destroying decommissioned drives that held highly sensitive customer information rather than reselling. Which concept is being tested?
Q3.Read this A+ scenario: Sending drives to recycling after verifying they have been sanitized and documenting the process. Which term or action matches it?
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