New NSA-Led AI Report Recommends Secure Data Erasure for Retired Storage Devices

The National Security Agency’s Artificial Intelligence Security Center has released a joint cybersecurity report offering updated best practices to secure the data used in the development and operation of artificial intelligence systems. The document, published in collaboration with cybersecurity agencies in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, highlights the growing need to protect sensitive information as organizations increase their reliance on AI technologies.

The guidance, titled “AI Data Security: Best Practices for Securing Data Used to Train & Operate AI Systems,” outlines measures to address vulnerabilities in the AI supply chain. It recommends the use of digital signatures to confirm data authenticity, robust tracking of data origin, and secure infrastructure as part of a broader approach to data protection. The recommendations are aimed at helping organizations maintain the accuracy and integrity of AI systems by securing the data throughout the entire lifecycle, from development to deployment.

Specific threats such as malicious data modification, compromised supply chains and data drift are discussed in the report. It calls for proactive risk mitigation, particularly in systems operated by the Department of Defense, National Security Systems and the Defence Industrial Base. The guidance is also applicable to civilian and private sector organizations looking to implement or expand AI capabilities.

In line with the increased focus on data security, the guidance also points to secure data erasure as a key step when decommissioning storage devices that were used to manage AI data. The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 800-88 is cited as the authoritative framework for media sanitization, providing standards for ensuring that data cannot be recovered from retired equipment.

Verity Systems, which manufactures data destruction hardware evaluated by the NSA, offers solutions aligned with these standards. Products such as the Crunch 250 and SDD Master are designed to meet high-security requirements for both solid-state and traditional drives, making them suitable tools for organizations adhering to the latest cybersecurity directives.

To learn more about secure data erasure you can contact one of our experts to learn more about high security solutions for your business: info@vssecurityproducts.com