RCMP, NAVSO, and NCSC Legacy Overwrite Profiles

Applies to: All editions

RCMP TSSIT OPS-II

The RCMP profile uses seven passes:

  1. 0x00;
  2. 0xFF;
  3. 0x00;
  4. 0xFF;
  5. 0x00;
  6. 0xFF;
  7. random data.

The final random pass does not support later fixed-pattern sampled verification.

NAVSO P-5239-26

The NAVSO profile uses DriveErase’s practical three-pass sequence:

  1. 0x00;
  2. 0xFF;
  3. random data.

NCSC-TG-025

The NCSC profile uses DriveErase’s practical three-pass sequence:

  1. 0x00;
  2. 0xFF;
  3. random data.

Appropriate use

These profiles are provided for organizations with documented procedures that reference the named historical sequences. The selected profile should be reviewed against the actual media, current policy, contractual requirements, and disposition route.

A historical method name does not prove that:

  • The source organization currently endorses the method;
  • Every original procedural requirement has been reproduced;
  • The technique is appropriate for SSDs, NVMe devices, flash storage, virtual disks, or controller-managed media;
  • Hidden areas or remapped physical storage were processed;
  • The operation is certified by an external authority.

Duration and wear

Seven-pass profiles can take approximately seven times the full-range write duration of a one-pass profile, excluding verification, flushes, retries, and errors. Three-pass profiles similarly increase duration and device writes. Plan stable power and an adequate maintenance window.