DoD 5220.22-M is a standard set by the U.S. Department of Defense for the secure erasure of sensitive data from computer hard drives and other storage devices. This guideline outlines specific methods to ensure that data cannot be recovered after deletion, which is crucial for protecting national security and sensitive information. The standard includes various data sanitization techniques, such as overwriting data multiple times and using specific patterns to ensure complete destruction. Following DoD 5220.22-M helps organizations comply with legal and regulatory requirements, safeguarding against data breaches and unauthorized access to confidential information.